Do Cats Get Their Feelings Hurt?

Have you ever had the impression that you’ve hurt your cat’s feelings? Perhaps they hid away after you were late with the cat food, or stalked off huffily when you had to get up mid-cuddle? Cat owners will not be surprised to learn that cats can experience a range of emotions, and have their individual likes and dislikes.

Cats have a reputation for being independent and somewhat aloof, but these sensitive creatures can be easily upset. Read on for some common scenarios in which you might be unintentionally hurting your cat’s feelings.

Do Cats Feel Emotions?

It has been well established that animals can have feelings, and experience a range of human emotions. It is difficult to assess very complex emotions in cats, but some important and primary feelings such as fear, anger, joy/play, contentment, and interest have been well established.

Emotions affect cat behavior, and therefore a cat’s well-being, which will in turn have consequences for the owner-pet interaction and harmonious living conditions. We know that cats can experience emotions, so it is therefore not a huge leap to assume that these feelings can be hurt.

What might be more surprising to pet parents is just how these feelings can be hurt—it’s easier than you think to upset a cat!

Top Ways To Hurt a Cat’s Feelings

Cats are all individuals and have varying needs, preferences, and pleasures. Getting to know what makes your cat happy, and what really ticks them off, is essential for maintaining a loving and happy household.

Here are some common things that might make a cat sad:

1. Dirty Litter Box

Your cat might feel upset with you if you don’t keep their litter box pristine.

Cleaning out the cat’s litter box is no one’s favorite job, but cats are fastidious creatures. Most feel that toileting in a dirty environment is just not acceptable, and who can blame them? Keeping the litter trays clean and fresh is essential for your cat’s health and well-being.

2. Neglecting the Food Bowl

Cats love their set routines and can become upset and stressed by any change to their usual habits. If you usually always provide fresh food and water for your cat at breakfast time, they might well react badly if you break this rule.

Other bowl-related problems can include a lack of cleaning (a health risk as well as an emotional one!), moving the dishes to different areas, and having the food and water bowls too close together. What a minefield!

3. Loud Noises

Cats have an impressive sense of hearing, but this means they can be very sensitive to loud noises. Shouting, banging, and crashing can all be alarming for your cat, although they are particularly sensitive to high-pitched noises such as loud alarms and screaming.

4. Strong Smells

Along the same lines as loud noises, cats have very sensitive noses. Some smells, such as catnip, may make them wild with joy, but others, such as citrus and eucalyptus, can be extremely repellent to cats. If you have a new soap, perfume, or detergent and notice your cat giving you a wide berth, it may be due to your new scent!

5. Lack of Quality Time

If you have been leaving your cat home alone more than usual, you might be hurting their feelings.

Cats are social creatures, and most domestic cats love to interact with their owner or family member. This may be through cuddling, grooming, playtime or just being near to us. It’s important to spend time with your cat, forge a strong bond with them, and invest in their happiness and well-being.

On the flip side, it’s also important to leave them alone if they are hiding, snoozing, or eating, or make it clear through their body language and posture that they don’t want to be fussed right now.

6. Boredom

Owning a cat doesn’t just involve providing them with a bed, litter box, food, and water. Responsible cat care also requires providing mental stimulation for these intelligent and active pets. This is especially important if you have an indoor cat that might get bored more easily.

Consider cat toys, perches, scratching posts, and cat trees, as well as plenty of human interaction. Providing stimulation will enhance your cat’s well-being, and might just save your curtains, your furniture, and your sanity.

7. Punishment

Shouting, punishing, or even hurting your cat is not acceptable treatment. Physical or mental discomfort doesn’t correct behavior, it only causes fear and stress. If your cat is doing something you dislike, don’t resort to swatting or yelling at them. Instead, try and understand the cause of the behavior and how you can prevent it from occurring again.

How Does a Cat Show Its Feelings Are Hurt?

Hiding away can mean a cat has their feelings hurt, but it’s also a sign of illness so it’s best to have your cat checked by a veterinarian just in case.

Cats can’t tell us if they’re upset with us, but they can definitely show us! A cat’s body language, posture, behavior, and habits might change if they are stressed or unhappy about something. You might notice behavioral changes such as hiding away more, inappropriate toileting outside the litter box, vocalizations such as excessive meowing or even hissing, or a change in their interactions with you.

It’s important to recognize if your cat’s feelings are hurt. Prevention is better than cure, and understanding your cat’s needs and priorities can help you understand how to keep your cat happy. Some small upsets cannot always be avoided, but long periods of stress can have a significant health impact on cats.

Final Thoughts

We all want our cats to be healthy and happy, perhaps purring in our laps or twining around our legs lovingly. Cats have emotions, just like us, and can be easily upset by things that we might consider small or insignificant. Understanding our pet’s likes and dislikes is important to reduce stress, improve well-being, and encourage a happy household.

Also Read: 12 Signs Of An Extremely Happy Cat