Source checked 12 November 2026. PawLine editorial team. Not professionally reviewed.
Educational information, not veterinary or individual behavior advice. Do not stage a fall, punish or provoke a cat. Secure fragile objects out of reach. Ask your veterinary team about sudden or concerning behavior changes.
Why the label matters
Cats Protection says a naughty label implies the cat understands a human rule and chooses to break it. That is not a useful foundation for this guide. The site focuses on accessible objects and suitable outlets, not moral judgments about the animal.
Do not punish the investigation
The organization advises against punishment because the cat will not understand what it did wrong and the problem may worsen. This site does not prescribe sprays, alarms, shouting, forced handling or startling deterrents.
Solve the part under human control
Moving a breakable away from a reachable edge directly changes the object arrangement. Providing an appropriate play opportunity is a separate environmental choice. Neither requires the cat to approach a hazard or prove it learned a lesson.
Seek help for the pattern, not a stronger deterrent
Sudden behavior changes warrant veterinary advice under the Cats Protection guidance. If further behavior help is appropriate, ask the veterinary team about that route. No page here clears a health concern or turns uncertainty into a reason to punish.