Pet Peeves: 12 Things You Do That Your Cat Hates

1. Giving Them a Bath

Cats‘ hatred of baths is legendary! They’ll go absolutely wild, scratching and biting everything in sight—especially you. Fortunately, it’s not something you actually need to do very much. They’re self-cleaning. Bathing them can strip away the natural oil from their hair and cause skin irritation. However, any of them might need washing if they get into something dirty, are a long-haired breed with matting hair, or are getting old and not grooming themselves well. To help you out with this daunting job, A-Z-Animals has dedicated a whole article to How to Bathe a Cat That Absolutely Hates Water.

2. No-Reward Games

Cats have a natural instinct to chase and catch things. The thing is, they have this habit of expecting actually to catch what they’re chasing. Laser pointer lights and similar games just tease the cat by activating its instincts with no reward. But it’s insanely fun for you, so we know you’re not going to stop doing it. So, after torturing your poor kitty a little bit, point that light on a cat treat or favorite toy and let them enjoy their hard-earned reward.

3. Making Loud Noises

Cats have sensitive ears and are mainly nocturnal. Loud noises in the day startle them as much as they would you in the middle of the night. Be kind to kitty. Turn down the music volume, talk with an indoor voice, and try not to drop stuff!

4. Forgetting to Scoop the Litter

Cats hate dirty litter boxes. If you don’t scoop the litter often enough, they’ll stop using the box . . . and might use your shoes instead! With clumping litter, you really should scoop it daily and change it totally once a month. With non-clumping litter, change it every 2 weeks. Got more cats? Put out more boxes and clean them more often.

5. Changing Their Environment

Cats can get really discombobulated when you change things in their environment, whether it’s changing the position of their litter box, the brand of their food, or (yikes) moving them and everything you own to a new apartment! You can help your cat by not making needless frequent changes to your furniture arrangement and such. But if a big move is in the works, make sure they have good hiding places and familiar toys for them in the new place.

6. Bringing Home a Rival

Unless you want to discover the literal meaning of “catfight,” don’t bring a random new feline home as a surprise for your current cat. They’re almost guaranteed to fight. You’ll want to introduce a second (or third) cat gradually. Watch for signs of aggression and separate them safely.

7. Ignoring Them

Cats are like teenagers. They have to come to you on their own terms. When they want to be left alone, leave them alone. But when they’re ready to interact with you, you’d better take advantage of the opportunity. Despite their independent nature, cats are social animals. Some breeds, like ragdoll cats, are especially affectionate to people and have separation anxiety, but any breed can get lonely if left alone too long. If you’re going to have to leave your cat for a long time, you might want to get someone check in on it. And if that’s going to be a lifestyle for you, then think about introducing a second cat or a cat-friendly dog.

8. Staring at Them

Getting into a staring contest with your cat can be fun . . . for you. To Kitty, it looks like one of two things. You’re a much bigger cat asserting your dominance and prepared to fight them to enforce it. Or, you’re a predator stalking them and getting ready to pounce . . . and eat them. So maybe tone down your confidence a little, lower your eyes, and let your cat feel in charge sometimes.

9. Over-Petting Them

Cats can get overstimulated by excessive petting and will bite and scratch to get a break and some personal space. This is called “petting aggression.” It could also be due to irritating static electric charges running along their fur and skin as you pet them. Cats that were feral or poorly socialized as kittens also show this behavior more frequently. Whatever the reason, you can avoid this reaction by petting your cat for less time than you want to. You can be sure if your cat hasn’t had enough, they definitely know how to ask for more.

10. Giving Them Pills

There’s nothing fun about giving a kitty medicine, for you or for them. They can’t possibly understand what’s happening. And they have a long memory. If that medicine is a regular thing, they’ll know what’s about to happen when you head for the medicine cabinet. The best we’ve got for you is to feed it to them in a treat, or if that fails, wrap them in a towel so they don’t hurt you and get the job done fast. Maybe even with the help of a friend to hold them. Let them retreat to a hiding place afterward and toss them a catnip treat to help them chill out.

11. Rubbing Their Tummies

One of the biggest lessons a new cat owner needs to learn is that a cat is not a dog. Things dogs like, such as roughhousing, tug-of-war, and belly rubs just are not going to fly with a cat. For most animals, the stomach is a vulnerable area they try to protect. It’s highly unnatural for an animal to lay on its back and expose its underside to another animal, except when they are young and being groomed or disciplined by their parent. Rubbing your kitty’s cheeks and the lower back at the base of the tail are more enjoyable choices.

12. Spraying Strong Scents

With their sensitive noses, cats experience smells much more intensely than you do. So perfumes, air fresheners, spray deodorants, and other strong scents can really irritate them. Unfortunately, some of the things that smell best to humans smell the worst to felines. That includes lavender, eucalyptus, citrus, rosemary, and thyme. Remember, too, that essential oils can be toxic to cats. To keep your cat happy, find ways to clean your house and eliminate bad odors without having to mask them with stronger odors you like.

Of course, you can’t build your whole life around your pet. But when you invite a cat into your home, it is a home to both of you. With a few adjustments, you and your cat can be good roommates to each other.