Can cats hold grudges? The Love and Misunderstanding in Cat's Memory

Many cat owners have experienced the scenario that after taking their cat to the vet, clipping their nails, or disturbing their sleep, the cat ignores you for hours, or even days. Some people say: “It's over, the cat is holding a grudge!” So the question is - do cats really hold grudges?

In fact, the word “grudge” has a strong anthropomorphic color. Cats don't hold grudges like people do, but they do have amazing memories, especially of human behavior and environmental changes. If an experience makes it feel scared, uncomfortable or violated, it may remember it and show avoidance, vigilance or even “cold war” behavior in the future.

This is not really a “grudge”, but more like a “learning mechanism”. The cat protects itself by remembering and avoiding the unpleasant experience again. So when you do something that might make your cat uncomfortable, such as cleaning its ears, forcing it to cuddle, or changing litter brands, it may become sensitive and even “stay away” from you for a short period of time.

But don't worry, as long as you give enough security, respect the cat's boundaries, and establish a trusting relationship through daily companionship, the cat will “let go”. Using its favorite snacks, toys, or accompanying it to sunbathe, scratching its chin, usually quickly repair the “small conflict” between you.

So, rather than holding grudges, cats have selective memories and respond to human behavior in their own way. They remember not only the hurt, but also the warmth and love. Understanding this is the only way to create a deeper emotional connection with your cat.