Can cats take revenge?
If a cat serenades at night when you are trying to sleep, can you say that he does it out of spite? If the cat did its business not in the tray, but in your slippers, can this be called revenge? Can cats deliberately take revenge on their owners? In our article, we will figure out how to interpret and correct the behavior of pets.
A cat, unlike a person, does not think over long-term strategies of behavior. She behaves in such a way as to get what she needs from a person now. She does not understand that a long, demanding meow distracts you from urgent work. She tries to get your attention so that you stroke her, give her a treat, play with her.
Usually, in the case of cats, it is more appropriate to talk about manipulative behavior. Cats see that their cozy purr likes a person. Why not beg for a treat in this way? And when a cat rubs against its legs, it is caused not only by the desire to show its love and draw attention to itself. But also mark the owner with your smell, so that other cats are aware of whose person it is.
Refusal to eat is also manipulation. The capricious cat wanted to eat fish, so he ignores other food until the owner gives out a portion of the desired delicacy. Cats do not seek to annoy you, they seek to satisfy their own needs.
Do cats take revenge on us in the conventional sense? No. Cats are not characterized by resentment in the human understanding of this emotion. When it seems to us that cats are taking revenge, nothing bad is happening from their point of view. She “noted” the shoes of the guest she didn’t like, which means that she expressed dissatisfaction with the infringement of her territorial rights and reminded the violator in her own way who is the boss in the house.
Speaking of the so-called revenge of cats, we are trying to attribute human emotions, our way of thinking and behavior patterns to pets. Misinterpreting the behavior of four-legged friends leads to incorrect methods of raising pets. If the pet is bullying, you need to understand the reason for this behavior.
Unwanted cat behavior never occurs out of nowhere. The cat may feel bad, protest against the tasteless food, express dissatisfaction with the size and location of the tray, signal a lack of attention from the owners, and suffer from stress. There is a possibility that at an early age the owners missed something in raising a pet, so the cat allows itself to whims.
It is not so easy to remain a patient and understanding owner, because most often cats express protest and dissatisfaction through going to the toilet in the wrong place. Be patient, do not scold your pet: this will only make things worse. Find out the cause of the problem behavior of the cat and help your ward correct.
If we are talking about innocent manipulation, then the cat can be understood and forgiven. It’s not that hard to find a moment to scratch behind your ear or give you a treat. If manipulation and rebellious behavior become a habit in a cat, you need to take action.
The main thing is not to punish the cat, not to raise your voice. If the cat has made a puddle on your bed, take it to the tray. Let him sit and think about his behavior. He sharpened his claws on the furniture – we carefully take it in our hands and carry it to the scratching post.
The cat meows plaintively all night, and you do not get enough sleep, because every time you jump up to see if something has happened to the pet? Visit a veterinarian for an examination. It is possible that by undesirable behavior the cat is trying to tell you about his ailment.
Stop being nervous and overreacting to every hooligan antics of a cat and every attempt to attract attention to yourself. Often the constant anxiety of the owners is transferred to the pets, you annoy each other, a vicious circle is obtained.
To correct the pet’s behavior, eliminate the influence of obvious irritants and stress factors. The sounds and smells of renovations, new people in the house, moving house are some of the most common causes of cat stress. While your furry pet is under stress, it’s hard to expect good behavior from her.
If your cat is healthy, there is no reason for stress and worries, and revenge-like and protest behavior is present, try to ignore it. Is your cat meowing again at night? Stop, don’t get up, you need to sleep. Does a cat mark its territory where it wants to, and then think that you will let it sleep next to you on the bed? Well, no, the bully needs to be taken to the couch. Remember an important parenting principle: ignore unwanted behavior, encourage obedience.
If none of the methods gave results, it is worth contacting a zoopsychologist. The specialist will help you understand the situation and tell you how to work on the behavior of pets specifically in your case.
We wish you and your pets mutual understanding and positive communication!
