Many people treat cats as children after raising them, but did you know that some behaviours you think are loving might scare or annoy cats. So, what do cats hate the most? This article summarizes 19 things cats hate. Let’s look at whether you’re doing any of these!
Sensory Dislikes
01
of 19
Loud sounds
Cats hate loud noises; they have three times better hearing than humans. Sounds that are just right for humans might be overwhelming for cats. Try to avoid making loud noises in front of cats, such as hair dryers. Also, don’t put a bell on your cat’s collar; the noise can be distressing and affect their hearing.
02
of 19
Strong scents
Aromatherapy and perfume can be the things cats hate. Cats identify you primarily through scent. Strong fragrances like essential oils or perfumes can confuse them. Moreover, most perfumes contain essential oils and alcohol, which can be irritating and toxic to cats.
Physical Discomforts
03
of 19
Bathing
Most cats hate water. In fact, cats are naturally clean animals and don’t need frequent baths. In addition, excessive bathing can harm their skin health and reduce the original defense of the hair and affect the cat’s recognition of its own smell.
04
of 19
Dirty litter box
Cats have a sense of smell that is about 20 times more sensitive than humans, and they are very clean animals. In the natural environment, they will bury their excrement after defecating. Not cleaning the litter box frequently will reduce their excretion experience and may cause them to defecate in places other than the litter box, so try to clean the litter box once a day.
05
of 19
Picking up incorrectly
Cats hate being picked up; they need to feel secure. Picking them up incorrectly can make them feel unsafe and cause them to kick and scratch. The correct way to hold a cat is to hold the cat’s chest with one hand and hold the cat’s hind legs with the other hand to give them a sense of security with their feet on the ground. And do not hold the cat for too long, if they start to struggle, put them down.
06
of 19
Dressing up
Cats Dressing may annoy cats, but their fur is enough to keep them warm in winter. There are many cute clothes for cats on the market, but these clothes will restrict their behaviour and make them inflexible, and will also affect their licking of fur, making them feel bad.
07
of 19
Rubbing Belly
Cats exposing their belly is a sign of trust, but it doesn’t mean they want it touched. Most cats dislike having their belly rubbed. The correct way is to touch their head, cheeks, chin, and back, which are the parts that cats like most.
08
of 19
Pulling tail
The tail is the part that cats hate to be scratched by people. Sometimes, because of playfulness or convenience, we’ll tickle their tail. But scratching the cat’s tail will make them very unhappy, so try to avoid touching their tail as much as possible.
09
of 19
Touching paws
Cat paws are sensitive, and while they may look cute and feel good, excessive touching can be uncomfortable for them. Apart from trimming their nails, try to avoid touching their paws too much, which annoy cats.
Social Dislikes
10
of 19
Boredom
Cats hate being bored they love to play. In the natural environment, they spend a lot of time hunting. Without playtime, they will feel bored and even start to make trouble. It is best to play with them for 10 to 20 minutes every morning or evening.
Read More: 8 Best Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners
11
of 19
Disturbing their sleep
Cats sleep a lot; they sleep about 12-16 hours a day, but their sleep is relatively shallow only about 30% of their sleep is deep. Cats look cute when they sleep. We often may want to tease them, but this will make them angry. Avoid disturbing them while they’re sleeping.
12
of 19
Forcing Interaction
Cats hate to be bothered. Sometimes, we are impatient and force cats to interact, which will make them feel disgusted. If they’re ignoring you, don’t force them to interact. You can use cat teasers or snacks to seduce them.
13
of 19
Punishing Them
After cats do something bad, we subconsciously think that we need to teach them a lesson so that they will learn their lesson. Shouting loudly will scare cats, and beating cats is even more undesirable. Punishing cats for bad behaviour doesn’t work and can damage your relationship with them. Instead, use positive reinforcement and proper training methods.
14
of 19
Forcing Socialize
When we take cats to visit friends’ homes or wait for medical examinations in the hospital, we may bring cats close to each other to let them interact with each other. But introducing cats to each other should be done carefully. Cat dislikes forcing socializing, which can lead to stress and aggression.
Territorial Issues
15
of 19
Put them in cages
Sometimes, we put cats in cages to prevent them from disturbing us or to worry about them causing damage at home, but cats hate this. Cats need space to roam. Keeping them confined can cause nervousness, irritability, and sensitivity. Provide a safe space like a box or a crate where they can retreat if they feel scared.
16
of 19
Using Cat Backpacks
Many people like to use cat bags when they go out, but that might be the things cats dislike. In fact, cats can be terrifying in such cat bags. They are forced to see all kinds of strange scenes and unfamiliar sights and sounds. Try to use a cat carrier with their familiar items to make them feel secure.
17
of 19
Cats hate Unfamiliar Places
Trips to the vet or new environments can be stressful; taking cats out frequently without sufficient training may cause them to become timid, sensitive, and nervous. If possible, reduce the number of times you go out as much as possible, train the cat to get used to the carrier for going out, and gradually increase the time they spend outside through training.
18
of 19
Cats hate Stranger
Some people want to share the joy of raising cats with friends and invite everyone to come to their home to see the cats. Frequent visitors can scare your cat. Try not to let too many strangers contact your cat. If you’re hosting a party, consider keeping your cat in a quiet room.
19
of 19
Changing Their Routine
Cats are animals with very regular lives. Any behaviour that greatly changes their life routine will make them crazy, such as frequently changing food and frequently changing the location of eating and drinking. This may make the cat feel insecure. If there is a need to change the area, it is recommended to move a little bit to the proposed location gradually.
Conclusion
In the process of living with cats, you may inevitably do some things cats dislike. It’s okay once or twice, but doing things cat hates for a long time will greatly damage your relationship.
