Many cat owners have stories about their cats acting out in seemingly vengeful ways after a perceived slight or offense. But do cats actually feel the human emotion of revenge? Or are these just interesting cat behaviors that we interpret as payback?
Do cats have emotions like humans?
Cats do experience basic emotions like fear, anxiety, happiness and affection. However, more complex emotions like revenge require higher cognitive abilities that cats simply don’t possess.
While cats have excellent memories and can learn to associate certain stimuli with rewards or punishments, their brains are not wired in a way that allows for intricate emotion and motivation like deliberate vengeance. Any “revenge” type behaviors in cats are likely instinctual responses to specific triggers, not premeditated acts of retribution.
Why do cats sometimes seem vengeful?
There are several reasons why cats may display behaviors that humans perceive as revenge:
Instincts:
Many seeming “revenge” behaviors are likely rooted in cat instincts and natural impulses. For example, a cat scratching furniture after being scolded could be acting out of stress or anxiety, not a calculated plan to destroy the couch.
Reinforced behaviors:
Cats can learn to associate certain behaviors with rewards through reinforcement. So if a cat learns that scratching furniture or knocking things over gets attention from their owner, they may continue those behaviors even if the attention is negative.
Triggered responses:
Cats can develop conditioned responses to specific triggers over time. For example, a cat who associates the sound of a spray bottle with getting wet may run and hide just upon hearing the bottle. This is a learned response, not revenge.
Misunderstood intentions:
When cats do things like urinate outside the litterbox or attack ankles, their motivation is often medical or stress-related. But because we impose human intentions, it can seem like deliberate misbehavior or vengeance.
Examples of cat behaviors commonly perceived as revenge
Here are some common examples of cat behaviors that owners often interpret as revenge, and the real reasons behind them:
Scratching furniture
Why owners think it’s revenge: Destructive scratching after being disciplined can seem like deliberate property damage.
Real reason: Scratching is a natural instinct for cats. It helps them stretch their bodies and mark territory with their scent. They often turn to scratching to manage stress and anxiety.
Urinating outside litterbox
Why owners think it’s revenge: When a litterbox-trained cat suddenly starts urinating elsewhere, it’s easy to take it personally.
Real reason: Inappropriate urination is most often due to medical issues like UTIs or bladder stones. It can also result from stress or anxiety caused by changes to their routine and environment.
Waking owners at night
Why owners think it’s revenge: When cats wake owners up with meowing, pouncing or knocking things off shelves, it seems like vengeful behavior.
Real reason: Cats are naturally most active at night and want attention, playtime and food. Nighttime antics are signs of normal cat behavior, not vindictiveness.
Attacks or bites
Why owners think it’s revenge: Biting or scratching someone after being upset can be seen as retaliatory aggression.
Real reason: Most bites and attacks stem from redirected aggression when a cat is aroused or fearful. They usually attack the nearest target rather than a specific person.
Do cats hold grudges?
While cats don’t experience revenge, some people believe cats can hold grudges or resent certain people for long periods of time. This is also unlikely due to cats’ limited emotional complexity. However, cats can form strong negative associations with specific triggers, leading to lasting fearful or aggressive responses. For example:
- A cat may become fearful of the scent of a certain perfume if it associates that smell with an experience that frightened them.
- A cat may become aggressive toward a person that unintentionally hurt them, like a vet or groomer, due to a negative association.
- These conditioned responses can last for months or years.
With time and positive experiences, cats can overcome negative associations. But it requires retraining their instincts, not appealing to a sense of forgiveness.
How to deal with perceived cat “revenge” behaviors
If your cat is exhibiting behaviors you perceive as revenge, here are some tips:
Don’t take it personally
Remind yourself your cat is not plotting payback. Their motivations come from instinct and conditioning, not vengeful intentions.
Identify the root cause
Take your cat to the vet to rule out medical issues. Also observe your cat’s body language and circumstances around the behaviors to pinpoint triggers like stress, fear or changes in routine.
Address the underlying issue
For stress/anxiety, use calming pheromone diffusers and give your cat “safe spaces” to retreat to. For aggression, consult an animal behaviorist to modify responses through desensitization.
Interrupt and redirect problem behaviors
When your cat starts scratching furniture or nipping ankles, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, then immediately redirect their energy to a toy to chase and pounce on. Offer treats as positive reinforcement.
Be consistent with training
Continued positive reinforcement for appropriate scratching posts and consistent discouragement of undesirable behaviors will help re-train your cat’s instincts over time. But you must be patient and persistent.
The bottom line on cat “revenge”
While it’s tempting to ascribe human emotions like revenge to our feline friends, cats simply do not have the cognitive capacity for such intricate, premeditated feelings. But understanding the true motivations behind cats’ puzzling behaviors can help repair relationships and respond appropriately when cats seem set on payback. With time, training and care, owners can reach an understanding with even the most spiteful seeming of cats.