Cats are finicky creatures, filled with attitude. They can be dramatic and emotional over simple things such as clipping their nails or being taken to the vet. They want us to know, loud and clear, that they are not happy with us. Living with a cat is much like living with a petite, furry, grumpy, apathetic teenager who is always ready to throw a tantrum when they do not get their way. Let’s learn how long these feisty felines can hold a grudge.
Can Cats Hold a Grudge?
Cats cannot hold a grudge in the same way that people can. A cat’s emotional spectrum is much smaller than our own because its actions and behavior are not an emotion at all; it’s an instinct and something they cannot just brush off. Of course, a cat can feel sad, angry, happy, content, etc they just cannot understand or have complex emotions that would be needed to hold a grudge. Cats can tell when their owners are sad, happy, scared, anxious, or upset.
Another reason cats cannot hold a grudge is that their short and long-term memory is not exactly like ours. Many of us can recall moments from when we were four years old, many decades later. A cat cannot do this but does have an extraordinarily great short and long-term memory. Studies have shown that cats’ short-term memory is around 16 hours if it’s something that interests them a great deal. A cat’s long-term memory is also excellent, especially compared to other companion animals like dogs.
Dogs have very little short-term memory. A cat’s long-term memory is 200+ times greater than a dog’s. However, in typical cat fashion, cats only remember what they want to remember. You can yell at them for getting on your table the entire time you are together, and they will do it repeatedly because it doesn’t serve or interest them.
For humans to survive and thrive, we use our emotions to guide us through life to some degree. Who we choose to be around is based on how happy or fulfilling it is to be around the person and, in exchange, how it makes us feel. Cats remember us even if we’ve been on vacation all week while poor Mister Mittens had to camp out at the vet waiting for us to return. Imagine the stress you would have as a cat left at the vet. There’s no way to know when/if your humans will return.
Reasons Why Cats Seem To Hold Grudges Against Us
One of the top reasons cats may seem to hold grudges is because we take them to the vet, which isn’t a fun place. That stresses them out, and they ultimately pair us with the experience since we took them there. Chances are your cat might cross to the side of the hallway you aren’t in or hide under the bed, growling.
All cats respond differently to stressors; some seem entirely unbothered by them. While the vet may cause ginormous anxiety for our little fuzzballs, other things can push your cat to avoid you for a little while. Here are some reasons cats get stressed out and hold what looks like a grudge against us.
Trip to the Vet
The vet can be a terrifying place for your cat. The smells of other scared dogs and cats are everywhere, and there isn’t anywhere to hide. Plus, there’s a chance you will leave them there, which just adds to their stress. Shots, temperature checks, ear cleaning, loud noises, barking dogs, and unfamiliar humans are enough to make your cat have some anxiety to work through over the next few days.
Administering Medication
This is another biggie when it comes to why your cat might be avoiding you. They will recall the taste of the medicine, whether it was scary, and any other negative effects. Your cat may hide when they hear you get their medicine out. Once caught, they might not go willingly.
Stepping On Their Tail
If you’ve ever accidentally stepped on your cat’s tail, you know how upset they get. It typically ends in hissing and the cat finding somewhere to hide from you. They don’t know it was an accident and blame you for hurting them. Offer your cat a treat or talk quietly to them; they will eventually come out.
Bath Time
Most cats loathe water and baths. If you are the one giving your cat a bath, it will remember everything that led up to it so it can be ready to run and hide next time. Baths are very stressful for cats, but luckily, cats are self-cleaning, so they typically do not need regular baths. Creating a calm environment while bathing your cat is vital. It should be quiet and without other people or animals present.
Grudge or No Grudge: Your Cat Still Loves You
Cats can be complicated, but that’s just one of the many reasons we love them so much. Having a cat’s trust and respect helps to create a strong bond. No matter what happens, cats are generally (eventually) forgiving of their owners. You would have to really mess up to make your cat no longer like you. Cats may also hold grudges when you bring home a new baby or pet, have guests stay over, trim your cat’s claws, don’t spend enough time with them, and so forth.
Cats are similar to children in that they complain and hold grudges when they don’t get their way but always come around in the end. Your cat will do the same, but it might be because it’s dinner time.
