We all want our cats to be as happy as possible, but you may be doing some things inadvertently that really upset your pet. Here are a few things that most cats dislike.
Sudden Changes
Cats love consistency so rearranging furniture, switching their food, or changing up their daily routine can stress them out. Since cats thrive on routine it’s important to make changes gradually whenever possible so your cat has time to adjust without feeling overwhelmed.
Inconsistent Routines
Aim to feed and play with your cat at the same time every day. They love having a schedule and knowing what to expect and when. Coming home later than usual, going on vacation, or sleeping in can’t be prevented, but trying to keep your cat’s schedule even when the routine is thrown off is super important and can really help keep your cat from becoming really stressed and upset.
Food or Litter Changes
Changing your cat’s diet might seem as simple as swapping one bag of food for another. But for your cat, even small changes can have a big impact. Cats have sensitive stomachs and strong food preferences so switching their food quickly can lead to a lot of unnecessary problems - including their refusal to eat the new food. Their digestive systems become accustomed to the food they eat daily so a sudden change in their diet is not ideal. A slow food transition over the course of a week will help to keep their diet familiar and reduce stress.
Start with a small amount of the new food and gradually increase the proportion of the new food each day. For example, give 75% of the old food and 25% of the new food for 2-3 days, then 50% of the old food and 50% of the new food for 2-3 days, etc. Once your cat is happily eating the new food, you can complete the transition. You can do the same with a new kind of litter.
Rearranged Furniture
Sudden changes to their environment can feel like a threat. New furniture or furniture being rearranged can really throw off your cat. So can closing the door to a room they like to spend time in. They view their home as their territory and they like to be able to survey their environment. Denying access to an area reduces their territory and makes them feel like they have lost some control of their space.
Try to keep their food bowls, litter boxes, cat trees, and scratching posts in the same places. These areas are very important to your cat.
Loud Noises
Cats’ hearing is extremely impressive. They have 32 muscles in each ear and they can rotate and move their ears independently, which helps them be such excellent hunters. They can hear four to five times farther away than we can and their hearing spans about 10.5 octaves. Cats can detect ultrasonic squeaks made by mice and other rodents and they can locate the source of a sound within three inches from a distance of three feet away.
Because of their amazing sense of hearing, cats don’t like loud noises. Vacuums, thunder, fireworks, construction work, sirens, and loud music or TV can hurt their ears and scare them or stress them out. If you know something loud is going to be happening, try putting your cat in a separate room and playing classical music or putting on some cat TV to help distract them and keep them calm.
Dirty Litter Boxes
A dirty litter box can really stress out your cat. It could lead them to stop using the box entirely and pee or poop elsewhere in the house. Cats have a great sense of smell - they can smell about 14 times better than we can - so a stinky litter box is a huge deterrent.
Scoop the litter box at least once a day and wash it out every week or two to keep smells at bay.
Strong Scents
On the other hand, cats also don’t like strong scents that we think smell good. Perfumes, diffusers, candles, and cleaning supplies can overwhelm their sensitive noses.
Cats map their environment through smells so changing the scents in the home can be frustrating for them.
Unwanted Touching
Unfortunately, most cats don’t love being hugged, kissed, or picked up. Forcing love and cuddles onto a cat can make them feel trapped. Rubbing their belly can make them feel vulnerable since all their internal organs are right there. Most cats like their feet on their floor and don’t like being picked up. It makes them feel like they are not in control. Touching them too much or when they don’t want to be touched can cause them to react negatively - think swatting, hissing, biting - since they are feeling threatened.
Most cats love getting attention, but they have limitations. Many cats only like being petted for a few minutes. Or they enjoy sitting near you but not on your lap. Or they expose their belly to you but don’t want it petted.
Pay attention to their cues that they are done being touched. Their tail may start to swish or their eyes may flatten or they may get up and walk away. They are likely overstimulated or irritated and it’s best to leave them alone.
Conversely, when your cat approaches you and rubs against you or headbutts you, it means they want some love and pets.
Car Rides and Cat Carriers
Since cats love routine, they get stressed when they go somewhere new. Most cats are fearful of their cat carrier and being in the car. They don’t know what is happening. They are not in their home. They are confined. It is loud. These are all things they do not like piled into one experience they do not want to be having. And then at the end, they are typically at the vet - another place most cats do not enjoy. They are being poked and prodded and examined by someone they do not know, which is very scary for them. There are new sights and sounds and smells. There are usually other animals around, which they can see as a threat.
To alleviate some of these issues, you can try to get your cat accustomed to being in their carrier before they need to go anywhere. Since cats love small, enclosed spaces and cozy nooks, a carrier is actually a great place for them to want to relax and spend time. Place a soft blanket or towel inside the carrier, add a toy or two, and leave it out in an area of your home that your cat passes by regularly. Leave the door either open or temporarily remove it so your cat can explore the carrier or cozy up inside it on their terms. When your cat explores the carrier on their own, praise them and give them a treat.
Once your cat gets comfortable hanging out in the carrier, gently close the door for a few seconds while they’re inside enjoying a treat. Gradually increase the time with the door closed, and always reward them. Practice picking up the carrier with them inside it so they get used to the movement and the loss of control. Start by just carrying them around the room or around the house. Then you can take short car rides. If you plan to take your cat on long road trips, this is particularly important. Starting with short car rides will really help acclimate them to being in the carrier before their big trip. Covering the carrier with a towel or blanket during travel can help your cat feel calmer.
Being Alone
Most cats don’t like being alone. They enjoy companionship from people or other animals. Cats can easily become depressed or stressed when they are left alone. It can be scary for them or they can simply be lonely.
Spending time with your cat every day is extremely important to their well-being. Cuddling, playing, or just sitting with them and co-existing is crucial for their mental and emotional health. They love you and want to spend time with you.
Being aware of what may be upsetting your cat and learning ways to adapt to keep them happy and stress-free will bring you closer than ever. A happy, healthy cat is all a pet owner can ask for. See if you can make a few simple changes to keep them feeling content and comfortable.
Love, Nala