What cats hate about people?
The Historic Reason So Many People Hate Cats — Haters Got Played!
In the early history of Egypt, cats were sacred through an association with the goddess Bastet, usually represented as a woman with a cat’s head. Later on, despite not all cats being worshipped and the practicality of the relationship with humans (cats kept pests under control), cats were also loved for their own sake.
There’s even a word to describe the fear of cats (Ailurophobia). It describes an intense fear of cats that’s strong enough to cause panic and anxiety when around cats or thinking about them. There are other names for this phobia that is also known as xenophobia, elurophobia, or Gallophobia.
It was not until recent history, on June 1233 that everything changed for cats.
Witchery and Black Cats
Cats were companions for many of the women who practiced witchcraft during 16th century Europe; this is because being one with nature was important within magical practices. Others believed that these dark-furred felines are humans who committed crimes and were thereafter transformed into the shape of cats to pay penance.
The Beginning of the Culturally Accepted Hatred Towards Cats
On June 13, 1233, Pope Gregory IX instigated the first bull of his papacy: the Vox in Rama. The Vox was the first official document to associate cats with witchcraft.
Vox in Rama («The Voice from Ramah») was issued which prescribed harsh punishments for those who committed heretical offenses. The letter criticized German citizens’ worshiping of Lucifer and authorized preaching campaigns against this supposed evil trend; it ordered leaders like Emperor Frederick II, the Holy Roman Empire’s King, Henry VII, regional ruler over Germany at the time, or any archbishop within its jurisdiction to take these rebukes seriously by executing those found guilty without hesitation!
Vox in Rama was only one of a series of calls Gregory IX issued for crusades against heretics.
Sacred Rituals Involving Black Cats
The bull describes the «depraved» sect initiation rituals in detail. The ritual goes as follows:
First, the novice must be approached by a mysterious toad that is larger than a life-sized dog with glowing red eyes. Soon after a pale man would appear and those who kiss him would forget all memory of the Catholic faith.
They would sit and eat. A statue of a cat standing upright in the room and after the meal would come to life. After a brief dialogue between the cat and the cult members, the meeting would end.
This decree is considered the trigger of the inquisition and heretic/witch hunts. It was designed to undermine the growing cult of Luciferians in Germany, but the witch hunt quickly spread across Europe.
As a result of this part of the Vox in Rama, cats were killed in massive numbers. The long-term impact was even more brutal. It changed the view the European society had about cats. It morphed the view about cats from a pagan sacred animal into an agent of hell. Christianity was introduced to North America as it was colonized by Europeans beginning in the 16th and 17th centuries and with it, the villainized view about cats.
It is believed (though, there’s no proof about it) that this persecution was so savage that some scholars believe that by the 1300s, Europe’s cat numbers were sufficiently depleted to prevent them from efficiently killing rats and mice- thus allowing the bubonic plague to spread.
Cats are Women and We Live in a Man’s World
Cats have always been associated with women and dogs are more often seen as male companions «man’s best friend».
There’s a long history of society that trivializes and mocks all things associated with women. Because cats are so strongly associated with women, many people are more comfortable saying out loud they hate cats than dogs. There are even published books about it, dating as far back as the 60s.
This strong association between women and cats and the lesser value that women and cats have in society is reinforced by cat-bashing or cat-shaming in our day-to-day language. For example:
- When a woman insults people for petty reasons, she’s described as catty, whereas a man who exhibits the same behavior would most likely not be described that way. (For what it’s worth, the Urban Dictionary entry for «catty» says it can be used for both males and females, but in practice, it seems to be used almost exclusively for females.)
- When two women get into a fight, it’s called a catfight(Even though literal cat fights are most common between unneutered males.)
- When an older woman romantically or sexually pursues a younger man, she’s called a cougar.(That term does not even exist for men pursuing younger women.)
Once someone encounters a cat that is aloof or unfriendly, they associate the behavior with the overarching species rather than the particular cat. Cats have individual personalities and an individual cat should not change the perception of the species as a whole.
Does this sound familiar? This behavior is very much the same behavior shown against women, where many women are held accountable to every other woman on the planet. «All women are the same»
Why is it Okay to Hate a Cat but Not a Dog?
In his book about cats, the Tiger in the House, Carl Van Vechten notes, “One is permitted to assume an attitude of placid indifference in the matter of elephants, cockatoos, H.G. Wells, Sweden, roast beef, Puccini, and even Mormonism, but in the matter of cats, it seems necessary to take a firm stand….Those who hate the cat hate him with a malignity which, I think, only snakes in the animal kingdom provoke to an equal degree.”
Beyond the fact that from a historical and social point of view, we are biased to think that cats are evil and thus, some other social beliefs trigger cat-bashing:
Cats Don’t Care About You
Cat haters will try to make you believe that cats don’t care about their people. I’ve even heard from someone that «they would eat you if they had the chance».
While dogs have evolved and have been bred to be overly dependent on humans ¨almost obsessively¨ cats will deal with fearful or unknown situations on their terms, not like dogs or children. Other studies, though, have shown that cats display attachment styles similar to dogs and children.
The four attachment styles defined by Donald Bowlby are Secure, Anxious-Ambivalent, disorganized, and avoidant have been seen in cats.
Cats can even suffer from separation anxiety. Learn more about it in this post about separation anxiety in cats if you are going out on vacation or back to the office because your cat might suffer from it.
Cats Don’t Wanna Be Touched
How many times have you been petting a cat and without apparent reason or warning, they attack you to stop? Well, that’s simply 2 lies in 1 sentence.
Cats always have a reason. Cats are not vengative or have resentment. Cats don’t want to punish you or make your life impossible. Cats are cats. Cats have their agenda programmed into their primal brains.
If a cat doesn’t want to be petted it will let you know by flicking and wagging the tail before biting. Learn more about cats’ body language in this article.
If you are thinking: «My cat doesn’t like to be touched but I do it anyway because I love them». I have to admit that I sometimes find myself making the same mistake. Why are we so entitled to a pet’s love? I believe we should give love in form of touch only when the other living creature appreciates touch as a love language. Ignoring that is not only selfish, it’s straight failing to love our cats in a language they understand.
A 2013 study shows cats release anxiety hormones when handled, particularly by people they don’t know.
I have good news for you: Feline love isn’t needy. My cat’s (Mia)’s main love language is quality time. She will follow me around the house and be present, even in the most intimate moments. She doesn’t need or seek to be grabbed or touched, she just wants to be there.
Cats are an Environmental Disaster
Global research has found plenty of evidence that cats are endangering wildlife. Domestic and feral cats are the biggest invasive species and their amazing hunting skills make them, right after humans, the biggest killers of wildlife.
Cats contribute to up to 3.7 billion bird losses each year! Cats with free access to the outdoors will kill an average of 34 birds per year.
Every animal in the wild that’s a carnivore, like cats, kills for food. The problem comes when the animal doesn’t belong to the ecosystem (because the prey in the ecosystem has not evolved to endure the invasive species). Additionally, most indoor/outdoor cats kill not just for food, but pleasure.
Cats use to chase, hunt kill as entertainment, as a way to release energy and that’s unnecessary. Even when your cat doesn’t bring birds/lizards to your door, thinking that your cat doesn’t kill is misguided and probably not true if they spend any time unsupervised and outdoors.
My recommendation if you want to enrich your cat’s life as an environmentally responsible cat parent is that you walk your cat on a leash instead of letting your cat out unsupervised. Also, cats that stay indoors live an average of 2 to 5 years while cats indoors will live an average of up to 15! I want my cat Mia to stay with me for as long as nature will let her.
Cats are Jerks
The fact that we don’t understand an animal doesn’t make the animal a jerk, makes us ignorant. Those who say that cats are jerks are giving person attributes to a cat.
Anthropomorphism is a literary device that assigns human characteristics to nonhuman entities like animals or inanimate objects. When we do this as a literary device, we add depth to a story and find meaning in what animals do. When we use anthropomorphism to define cats’ actions in real life, we are flat-out wrong.
Cats are not capable of many human emotions. Cats don’t hate, are not vindictive nor show resentment, and they don’t do things to piss us off.
The reality is that cats do things (even knocking things down) to call our attention. Our answer to that calling, positive or negative, proves to them that their tactics work.
When your cat does things you clearly showed them that you don’t like, they are using the behavior that triggers your reactions and gets your attention. You are reinforcing the behavior every time they trigger you.
To prevent your cat from being a jerk, anticipate their needs and deal with them in anticipation so that they don’t need to get your attention to have their needs met.
Cats Allergies Make Cat Haters Every Day
As an allergic person myself, cat allergies are very real. You can go from feeling amazing to being ready to go to bed and forgetting that the world exists in minutes.
I understand that suffering from allergy is tough but developing hatred toward the animal causes it when the animal is not doing it intentionally, it’s a little harsh.
If you are a cat lover and would like to have a cat but you have allergies, you might want to read this article about hypoallergenic cats!
Send this article to a cat hater. If there’s hatred towards cats in their heart and they get the information to reevaluate it, you might be converting a cat hater into a cat lover. That would probably make us both (you and me) very happy. All cats want is to be loved in their love language, a few treats a warm bed (or a box) to sleep on, and plenty of time to take naps.
Stay Wild, Stay Safe, See You Outdoors!
14 Things Cats HATE (#1 Might Surprise You)
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If you’re a cat parent, chances are you want to have a close relationship with your feline friend. Part of achieving this goal is avoiding things that cats hate. Just to be clear, at the end of the day, every cat is different. So what one cat hates, another might not mind or even like. However, in general, most cats dislike the same things. So without further ado, here are 14 things that cats generally hate.
14 Things That Cats Hate
1. Being Ignored
If you’re new to the “cat world,” this one may have caught you by surprise. Contrary to popular belief, most cats hate being ignored by their humans. The reality is that cats desire and need attention; they’re just more subtle about it than dogs. While a dog might wag their tail and run around excitedly, a cat might give head bunts or hangs out close by.
Cats desire attention on their own terms, and oftentimes don’t ask for as much attention as dogs. However, rubs, snuggles, and playtime are things that cats usually want on a daily basis. As an FYI, some cats develop such strong bond with their owners that being left alone causes them distress. That’s why cats shouldn’t be left alone for more than 8-10 hours at a time.
2. Being Held Like Simba
I think it’s safe to say that if you’re watching this, you’ve probably seen The Lion King before. Who can forget the iconic scene when baby Simba is lifted up in the air during the Circle of Life song? As a tribute to the film, some cat parents mimic this scene with their feline friend. While this pose might be amusing to you and the internet, your cat hates being “Lion Kinged.”
No, they have nothing against the movie. Instead, this is a scenario where your cat feels out of control. Cats need to be in control of themselves to be fully comfortable. This goes beyond the “Lion King pose,” because cats in general hate being forced to do anything against their will.
3. Costumes
While you might think costumes are cute and fun, it’s best if they’re saved for human kids instead of cats. Costumes cause our feline friends stress and discomfort, so it’s understandable that cats hate them. When a cat is confined to a costume, it makes them feel out of control and unsafe. Another related thing cats hate is posing for photos, which makes the whole costume thing even worse in their minds.
A holiday like Halloween is already confusing enough to cats. Between the scary sights and noises, a costume will only stress your cat out even more than they already are. Instead of a costume, opt for a festive collar or pet bandana.
4. Strangers
Cats usually take “stranger danger” literally. Again, at the end of the day, every cat is different. So while there are certainly cats out there that don’t mind strangers, most er on the side of caution. Most commonly, a cat will either keep their distance or hide when unfamiliar people come over. Cats hate strangers as a safety precaution. Remember that cats are territorial creatures, and your home is their territory.
So when a stranger enters that territory, they need to keep their distance until they determine if the stranger is a threat or not. That’s why the golden rule is to let the cat come to them, NOT the other way around. Some cats warm up to new people faster than others, so if you’re the stranger, just be patient.
5. Dirty Litter Boxes
Cleaning a litter box is no fun. That’s why newbie cat owners might be tempted to skip scooping. But this is only asking for a disaster. A cat’s natural instinct is to go outside, which is why they always want a clean and dry spot to relieve themselves. Since cats are also very clean animals, they hate filthy bathrooms. To be blunt… if a litter box isn’t clean, a cat will hate it and go elsewhere. After all, if you find a gross bathroom, wouldn’t you look for another place to go too?
In order to prevent undesirable bathroom habits, it’s incredibly important to keep the the litter box clean. Without exception, you should be scooping the box at least once a day.
6. Closed Doors
When you close a door, chances are you’ll eventually hear scratching and meowing from your furry friend. Since cats are independent animals, it may seem counterintuitive that a closed door bothers them so much. But when you stop to think about their nature, it starts to makes sense. As mentioned earlier, cats are territorial creatures, and your home is their territory. Understandably, our feline friends’ curiosity makes them wonder what’s going on in their “turf.”
According to East Shore’s Veterinary Services, cats also see a closed door as “a sign that undermines their absolute reign of the territory.” Another reason that cats hate closed doors is because they enjoy being around their family, and obviously a closed door prevents that interaction.
7. Baths
In general, bathing a cat is totally unnecessary because cats are self-cleaning animals. Thank goodness for that, because as you probably know, cats absolutely hate baths. However, it’s not necessarily the water itself that cats hate. When you look at the evolutionary history of cats, you’ll find that their ancestors lived in dry places. This means that cats didn’t have to deal with water obstacles such as oceans or rivers.
Another reason cats hate baths is because having drenched fur makes them feel weighed down. This uncomfortable feeling makes our feline friends unable to move like usual. Also, as you’ve learned by now, cats hate being out of control, which they are during a bath.
8. Strong Smells
A cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times better than a human’s. Impressive, right? However, every talent usually comes with a drawback. Since their smell is so sensitive, cats hate strong smells. While there are several smells that cats can’t stand, a few notable ones are gasoline, menthol, vinegar, and citrus. Cats also hate the smell of rosemary, thyme, banana, mustard, lavender, eucalyptus, and so on.
While these scents might smell nice to you, they can be very overwhelming for your cat. This is also why, believe it or not, cats generally prefer unscented litter.
9. Loud Noises
It’s no secret that cats get stressed when they hear yelling, thunder storms, loud music, or any sort of chaos. But a cat’s hatred for loud noises goes beyond what sounds loud to us humans. Cats have excellent hearing, which means that high-frequency sounds, such as a whistling tea kettle, can make them anxious. It may also surprise you that cats can get overwhelmed from sounds that humans don’t even notice.
It turns out that our feline friends can hear ambient sounds such as computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, and light switch dimmers. While we can’t control ambient sounds, it’s important to keep your cat’s noise sensitivity in mind so that you can avoid unnecessarily loud noises.
10. Cold
While cats are fairly well adapted for cold weather, that doesn’t mean they love low temperatures. That’s why your feline friend can often be found in a warm and cozy spot. Cats can thank their ancestors for their hatred over cold weather.
They likely descended from the African Wildcat, which is a small wildcat species native to regions of Africa and Asia. Their wildcat ancestors were in warmer climates, meaning that domesticated cats today are genetically wired to prefer warmer weather.
11. Belly Rubs
Everyone knows that dogs tend to love belly rubs. But cats are usually the opposite, and for good reason! A cat’s stomach is one of the most vulnerable spots on their body because many vital organs are underneath. Cats are smart cookies, so they know that an injury in or near the stomach could be life-threatening. That’s why the typical feline avoids exposing this vulnerable area.
If your cat does show you their belly, it means they trust you, so you should be proud of that! However, just because they show their belly doesn’t mean they want a belly rub. While some cats allow belly rubs, most want you to just look instead of touch. When in doubt if your cat allows belly rubs, always err on the side of caution to avoid upsetting your cat.
12. Stale Food
Cats can be very finicky, but it’s not because they want to give you a hard time. Some cats simply hate the taste of leftovers. But other cats walk away from food because it’s stale. After a can of wet food is opened, it only has a shelf life of 24 hours; and that’s if it’s stored in a refrigerator. Wet food should not be left out for more than a few hours to prevent bacterial buildup.
If the food is left out longer than that, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. On the other hand, dry food can be left out for the day. But any longer than that leads to staleness. Either way, keep your cat’s food fresh!
13. Being Treated Like Dogs
A common rookie mistake is treating a cat like a dog. Not only do cats hate this, but it’s also detrimental to their well-being. At the end of the day, cats and dogs are completely different animals, which means they have different wants, needs, and behaviors. For example, if you force your cat into a harness for a walk, you’re asking for trouble.
Don’t get me wrong, walking a cat can be wonderful for them. However, they don’t adapt as fast to a harness as a dog. Instead, the cat would need gradual training to work up to a harness walk. This is just one of many examples.
14. Car Rides
Just to be clear, cats don’t hate cars specifically. Instead, they hate the ride, and for one main reason: lack of control. By now, you have probably gathered the theme here. First, your cat feels completely out of control when they’re forced into a carrier. The situation is made is worse for them when they’re forced inside a moving vehicle where they have no way to escape. When you add in the strong smell of gasoline and loud music, it makes sense that a car ride is a recipe for stress.
To top off the hatred, most of the time a car ride equals a trip to the vet, which is a whole other can of worms. This is not to say that a cat can’t be brought up to tolerate or even like the car. But usually, without early introduction or consistency, cats hate car rides.
