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.
Contents
1. Sudden Loud Voices
Cats have excellent hearing. They hear about three times more than you, and even better than canines.
Have you ever watched your fur child stare at the wall for a long time? That’s them, picking up something behind or inside your wall panels.
Still, while it certainly sounds awesome, sensitive ears often bring many problems for these furry creatures.
Sudden construction noises, fireworks, thunderstorms, and loud voices can feel incredibly frightening, and sometimes painful, to them.
Simply put, avoid raising your voice when around your cat!
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2. Teasing Too Much
We love teasing the furry creatures. They act aloof and distant but we know they love attention every once in a while.
Beware not to smother your cat too much, though. Cuddling them when they want to be alone can spell aggression and, worst case, a scratch.
Like you and I, they feel uncomfortable with unsolicited affection, too!
Also, don’t blow in the feline’s nose. Like their ears, it’s a sensitive organ for cats, and blowing into it can cause stress or anxiety.
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3. Too Little Cuddle Time
With all of their cuteness, felines are confusing creatures, that’s for sure. One moment they can’t stand the sight of you, the next they want all your attention.
So, how little is too little cuddly time?
Well, there’s no one one-size-fits-all answer to this. Some cats are simply more independent, thus requiring lesser intimacy than others.
But you can watch out for signs they want to get close, such as brushing against your leg, headbutting, flattened ears, purring, or eye contact with slow blinking.
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4. Declawing the Cat
Never declaw your cat. They may damage your furniture or hurt your hands by scratching or their shenanigans, but it’ll always be a bad idea.
Not only is declawing a painful procedure, but it also risks infection, nerve damage, tissue necrosis, and a slew of other health complications.
Instead of declawing, train your furry companion to use a scratch post. Remember that scratching is a perfectly normal activity for cats, and they need it to maintain their nails and stretch.
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5. Rough Play Time
Sudden or rough handling during playtime is another surefire way to make your cat hate you. Or, at least, avoid getting near you.
While teasing them certainly feels enjoyable, you must understand that they easily feel uncomfortable.
Aggressive petting or suddenly grabbing them can confuse your fur child, often leading to aggression or fear.
So, pay close attention to your pet’s body language. If their eyes become dilated, erect their tail, or flatten their ears, it’s best to stop your teasing.
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6. Leave the Feline Bored
It’s not curiosity, but boredom that ultimately kills the cat. As predators, your kitten will need plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity to remain healthy.
Never leave them to get bored! Boredom leads to behavioral problems, such as excessive clawing, overeating, or destructiveness.
There are plenty of ways to keep them moving, even indoors. Think of entertaining toys, providing them with climbing structures, or hiding treats they can hunt.
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7. Exposure to Strong Smells
While their noses aren’t as sensitive as their canine counterparts, felines are far more equipped to experience their surroundings with their tiny sniffers than you or I.
As much as you love your citrus-scented perfumes or candles, you may want to avoid wearing or lighting them near the feline. Rosemary and thyme fragrances peeve their adorable noses, too.
If you don’t want your cat to hate being around you, ensure only to use smells they won’t instinctively run away from with a whiff!
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8. Punishing the Feline
As I already said, cats remember the tiniest details of bad experiences. So, as much as possible, you should avoid punishing the feline for their mischief.
They don’t respond well to discipline, as they often don’t see the connection between their behavior and your reaction. It’s also why positive reinforcements tend to work better.
Cats are fickle—their trust is even more. Yelling or hitting them will only result in damaged relationships and more behavior issues!
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9. Abandon Them For Long Periods
If you treasure your furniture, never leave your cat to itself for more than 24 hours. Despite their need for solitude, felines don’t enjoy being alone and often get lonely or bored.
Most cats will be okay when left for a day or night. However, your kitten may exhibit behavioral issues if you’re away longer than a day or more frequently than necessary.
If you have no choice, leave fun food puzzles for them to solve while you’re away. Besides food, provide the feline with enough water and secure anything hazardous for their safety, such as wires, medicines, chemicals, and stringed toys.
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10. Sudden Changes In Their Environment
As creatures of habit, there’s nothing a cat can hate more than sudden changes in its environment. It doesn’t even matter how small the change is, they simply don’t react to it well.
Even as seemingly insignificant as moving their litter box can cause significant stress. So, imagine their anxiety if anything dramatic, say a baby, suddenly comes along in your lives.
The trick is to change things as gradually as humanly possible.
Moving the litter box a few inches every few days or introducing the cats to baby sounds beforehand can soften their reaction.
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Final Thoughts
As a fur parent, ensuring your cat grows in a safe and nurturing environment is your job, preventing anything that can harm their wellbeing.
Yes, sometimes, that means bending over backward for your pet. But it also means you get to remain in the good graces of your beloved furry companion!
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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.