Do Cats Seek Revenge?

Posted by Jennifer Copley Jul 21, 2009

There's a common misconception that cats misbehave out of spite or a desire to get revenge on their owners. For example, many people believe that cats urinate or defecate outside the litter box because they’re angry at someone in the household.

Litter Box Problems

Cat misbehaviour is usually a means of communicating anxiety, stress, pain, or illness, though it can also be a way of saying that there’s a problem with the litter box, such as bad location, scented litter the cat dislikes, or some other issue. See Solving Litter Box Problems for information on why cats soil around the house and what to do about it.

A cat that suddenly begins urinating or defecating in areas other than the litter box should be brought in for a veterinary check-up, as a sudden shift in toilet habits can indicate a medical problem, though if anything about the box has been changed recently (i.e., type of litter, location, etc.) it may simply be that the cat is upset by the change.

Aggression in Cats

Aggressive feline behaviours such as clawing and biting are also not acts of revenge. Cats tend to be aggressive toward people when they are either afraid or in pain. Pain in particular can cause a cat to lash out when touched or petted. A veterinary check-up is necessary if a cat that previously enjoyed petting suddenly develops an aversion to being touched.

See Types of Cat Aggression for more information on why cats hiss, growl, and lash out, and Treating Aggression in Cats for solutions to the problem

Furniture Scratching and Other Destructive Behaviours

Scratching is a natural behaviour that cats need to engage in – not an attempt to destroy an owner’s prized possessions in a fit of pique. Ideally, the cat will learn to use a scratch post early on, but some cats develop an unfortunate preference for furniture or rugs. See Cats and Furniture Scratching for solutions to this common problem.

Some cats also become generally destructive, scratching everything in sight and knocking things over as they tear around the house because they are bored. Indoor cats, in particular, need an outlet for their hunting urges.

Play therapy is often effective in eliminating destructive behaviour. If the cat simply needs to run around and get some exercise, additional options include leash training to take the cat on safe outdoor excursions, buying or building a cat fence or enclosure, and purchasing or making cat trees to provide additional exercise opportunities inside.

Refusing to Eat

Cats don’t refuse food because they’re angry. There are many reasons why cats lose their appetites, including illness, problems with the food bowl or its location, or issues with the food itself. See Why Cats Refuse Food for more information.

For more on cat behaviour and communication, see Why Does My Cat Do That?