While every cat is different, there are certain human behaviors that just aren’t feline-friendly and can end up doing our furry companions more harm than good.
As loving fur parents, it’s our responsibility to understand our pets’ pet peeves and steer clear of them. This can go a long way in boosting our bonds and keeping our kitties happy and healthy!
Here are 15 things you might be doing that your cat wishes you wouldn’t:
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1. Spraying Strong Scents
Cats have an incredible sense of smell. In fact, their cute little noses are 14 times better at picking up scents than humans! That said, strong smells like your favorite perfume, air freshener, or cleaning product can be overwhelming and off-putting to your furry friend.
Common scents that cats hate include citrus, vinegar, fresh herbs, spicy foods, and even your beloved coffee and essential oils. Meanwhile, they seem to tolerate or even love the smell of valerian root, silver vine, and catnip!
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2. Serving Stale Food
Another trait that cats are known for is being picky eaters—some of them would rather starve than eat stale food! So if you find your feline turning its nose up at food that’s been sitting around all day, it may be time to switch to smaller, frequent meals to help things stay fresh.
If food isn’t the problem, then the bowl might be! Little cat food bowls might seem to be the cutest things ever, but cats don’t like their whiskers touching the sides of their food container while eating or drinking. It’s best to stick to a small, open-sided plate for food.
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3. Riding in Cars
Just because your kitty cat likes to hang out underneath your car sometimes, doesn’t mean it’s asking you for a ride! Most felines aren’t fans of traveling and dread the unfamiliar sights, smells, sounds, and sensations that every car ride brings.
Your pet may feel powerless and frightened about leaving home, unsure of where their destination will be, and may even suffer from motion sickness. If possible, reserve road trips for the essentials, like going to the vet or cat hotel.
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4. Giving Unnecessary Baths
All cats are different—but if there’s one trait that seems to be universal, it’s their hatred of water! Since cats groom themselves daily, they don’t need to be bathed regularly, and unnecessary baths can be a stressful and uncomfortable experience for your beloved furry friend.
The only times that baths are absolutely necessary is if you need to clean something toxic, oily, or sticky from their fur, or if your cat isn’t likely to be able to clean itself on its own.
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5. Having a Dirty Litter Box
Cats are some of the cleanest creatures, and their toilet hygiene is top-notch! Dirty and full litterboxes are a no-no for these pets. It can cause stress and result in them urinating and defecating somewhere else in the house, in places you don’t want them to go.
Scoop your litter box at least twice daily to remove any poop and clumped urine, and clean and refresh the tray regularly. This will keep your cat happy and its litter box smelling nice and fresh.
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6. Forcing Interactions With Strangers
Cats can be social animals, but only if they want to be! Your furry companion might not want to say hi to a visitor, be held by a child, or play with another pet you brought into your home. That’s okay, let them be—because cats hate forced interaction.
A better way would be to let your cat come to you or your visitor if it feels safe and comfortable enough to do so. If not, allow them to walk away to a quiet corner to get some personal space.
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7. Tummy Rubs and Aggressive Pats
While dogs love a good belly rub and enjoy some enthusiastic petting, most cats would like a gentler approach. They dislike heavy-handed pats, stroking, and tail-holding. Petting on their tummy is also unwelcome, as their stomach is a vulnerable area of their body.
When a cat feels that it’s in danger, it might run, use its front paws, bite, or show other signs of stressed-out behavior. Always watch your pet’s reactions to your touch, and respect boundaries.
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8. Blasting Loud Noises
Whether it’s rock music, household appliances, construction tools, or an action scene on TV, loud noises can be startling and scary for your cat. These furry friends have sensitive hearing, so be aware of electronics and activities in your home that can cause their ears discomfort.
Loud and unexpected noises can also put your pets on high alert and activate their fight-or-flight response, so ensure that they have a quiet spot in your home to retreat when things get noisy.
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9. Big Lifestyle Changes
Surprisingly, cats are much like their owners when it comes to dreading change. They are creatures of habit who take comfort in routines and predictability. Any changes to their environment or daily schedule can make them anxious and uncomfortable.
For your cat’s peace of mind, try to keep things consistent—from its feeding schedule and the type of treats you give to the location of its litterbox and water bowl.
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10. Giving Too Much or Too Little Attention
Cats are masters of communication—their body language will quickly tell you whether they want some attention or would rather enjoy their solitude. For instance, you’ll know your pet wants to bond when it jumps into your lap or plops down on top of your book or laptop. Cute!
Ignoring your cat’s cues for attention can lead to stress, aggression, or your cat not wanting to interact with you anymore. Learn to read signals, and you’ll strengthen the bond that you share.
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11. Using a Vacuum Too Often (or Without Warning)
Cats despise vacuum cleaners. Not just because of the noise, but the unpredictable movement and vibration can make them feel deeply unsafe.
Pro tip: Try to vacuum when your cat is in another room, and give them a calm, quiet place to retreat.
12. Dressing Them Up
While it might be cute for a holiday photo, most cats hate being put in clothes. Costumes restrict movement, affect their balance, and stress them out—especially hats and anything covering their tail or paws.
Pro tip: If you must dress your cat, choose lightweight items and limit wear time to a few minutes.
13. Ignoring Their “Safe Zones”
Cats value their personal territory. If you constantly rearrange their cozy corners, disrupt their favorite napping spots, or clean their bedding too often with scented products, it can throw off their sense of security.
Pro tip: Leave their scent-marked areas mostly untouched—just tidy without over-sanitizing.
14. Playing Rough Like a Dog
Cats don’t like roughhousing. While dogs might enjoy wrestling and grabby play, cats prefer chase, pounce, or toy-based interactions. Wrestling or teasing with your hands can confuse and even frighten them.
Pro tip: Use toys instead of hands to play—and let them “win” sometimes.
15. Staring Directly at Them
Humans lock eyes to bond, but in cat language, prolonged direct staring can be seen as threatening. If you’re trying to get closer to a shy or aloof cat, eye contact could actually push them away.
Pro tip: Use soft blinks instead to communicate calm and affection—it’s like a “cat kiss.”
Care for Your Cat: Be Aware of the Do’s and Don’ts!
Just like humans, our feline friends have a long list of likes and dislikes on how they want to be treated. They just can’t communicate them in words like we do!
So, it’s up to us, cat parents, to learn about our pet’s preferences and read their reactions, so we can better love and appreciate them for the weird and wonderful creatures that they are!
Read Next: How Much Does Your Cat Remember?
10 Things Your Cat Will Never Forgive
Cats have a great memory, especially when remembering bad experiences. While still up for debate, most experts believe felines can retain memories for 15 to 20 years!
This practical capability helps them in the wild and allows them to form long-term bonds, recall useful information, and (yes) even hold grudges.
In short, if you’re a first-time fur mom or dad, it’s crucial to remain on their good side, lest you incur the feline’s wrath!
So, here are 10 things your cat will never forgive and you should never do. Some of these are seemingly harmless mistakes, yet have a lasting impact on your cat’s well-being and your relationship.
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10 Myths About Cats You Should Stop Believing
As a long-time cat owner, I’ve found that many of my friends often have misconceptions about cats. Unfortunately, new cat parents may encounter problems because of misinformation on the internet.
Today, we’ll discuss ten myths about cats that you should stop believing. You’ll be surprised by just how much you didn’t know about your feline companion!
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10 Everyday Things That Hurt Your Cat’s Feelings
Think your cat’s upset? Well, it probably is!
Cats can get annoyed, bored, freaked out, or totally zen. Believe it or not, they can also feel hurt. Yep, our feline friends are more sensitive than we realize.
So, here are 10 everyday things that hurt your cat’s feelings, so you’ll know how to avoid them.
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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.