15 Things Your Cat Hates About You

 15 Things Your Cat Hates About You

Yep, your furball’s silently judging you—and here's why.


Let’s Get Real—Your Cat Is Not Always a Fan 😼

So, you think your cat adores everything about you? Hate to break it to you, but while they may curl up on your chest and purr like a tiny motorboat, there’s a long list of things you do that drive them nuts. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there—loving too hard, feeding too weirdly, or just plain existing in the wrong way (at least, in your cat’s eyes).


As a fellow cat parent who’s been ignored, side-eyed, and swatted at by the same fluffball who begged for cuddles five minutes ago, I totally get it. Let’s dig into the 15 things your cat probably hates about you. And hey—don’t take it too personally. Or do. Your call. 😸


1. Too Much Petting = Major Ick

We get it. Your cat is soft. Like, ridiculously soft. But constantly petting them like a stress ball? Big no-no.

  • Cats love affection—but on their terms.
  • Over-petting can overstimulate them.
  • Tail twitching? Ears flattening? That’s kitty code for back off, human.

FYI: Just because your dog loves belly rubs doesn’t mean your cat wants the same treatment. Dogs are golden retrievers. Cats are… well, cats.


2. Loud Noises = Apocalypse

Vacuum cleaners. Thunder. Your excited scream when your favorite song drops. Yeah, your cat hates all of it.

  • Cats have insanely sharp hearing.
  • What’s “normal volume” for you = DEFCON 1 for them.
  • Sudden sounds = panic mode.

Ever noticed how they vanish the second you say “Alexa, play party hits”? Mystery solved.


3. Random Schedule Changes

So, you decided to stay out late. Sleep in. Take a last-minute trip. Meanwhile, your cat’s like, “Where’s dinner, Sharon?!”

  • Cats thrive on routine.
  • Disrupt their mealtime? Prepare for the cold shoulder.
  • Change up your morning routine? They’ll protest by knocking stuff off shelves. 🙂

4. Ignoring the Litter Box (AKA Their Throne)

Cats are obsessed with cleanliness. If their litter box smells funky, you’re basically asking for a rebellion.

  • Scoop daily. No excuses.
  • Clean the box entirely at least once a week.
  • Choose a litter your cat actually likes—yes, they have preferences.

Pro tip: If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, don’t assume they’re “being difficult.” Check for health issues—or ask yourself if you skipped scoop duty. 👀


5. The Dreaded Car Ride

Want to see a cat become a loaf of pure terror? Just put them in a moving vehicle.

  • Most cats associate car rides with vet visits.
  • The unfamiliar sounds, smells, and motion = instant panic.
  • They’re not being dramatic—they’re scared out of their whiskers.

IMO, unless it’s an emergency or vet trip, leave your cat out of your road trip plans.


6. Unwanted Snuggles

Oh, you want cuddles now? Cute. Your cat was just relaxing in the sun, minding their business.

  • Cats hate being picked up when they’re not in the mood.
  • Respect their space, and they’ll come to you eventually.
  • Forced affection = a swat to the face (you probably deserved it).

7. Dressing Them Up (Seriously, Stop)

Halloween’s coming, and you thought a tiny witch hat would be adorable. Your cat thinks otherwise.

  • Cats hate anything that restricts their movement.
  • Costumes mess with their fur, whiskers, and dignity.
  • The photos aren’t worth the trauma, trust me.

Unless your cat genuinely loves dressing up (rare unicorns exist), let them be naked and proud.


8. Bath Time Horror Show

News flash: Cats clean themselves for a reason.

  • Most cats despise water.
  • Bathing them strips their fur of natural oils.
  • Unless your vet insists, skip the tub torture.

Ever tried bathing a cat? It's like washing a blender. While it's on. 😬


9. Eye Contact = Challenge Accepted

You’re lovingly staring into your cat’s eyes, thinking you’re bonding. Meanwhile, they’re like, “You wanna fight?”

  • Direct eye contact is threatening in cat language.
  • Instead, do a slow blink—that’s like a kitty kiss. 💕

Try it. You’ll either get a blink back… or be ignored. Both outcomes are totally valid.


10. Ignoring Their Boundaries

Cat swishes tail. You reach out anyway. Cat hisses. You laugh it off. Cat plots revenge. Sound familiar?

  • Every tail twitch, ear flick, or “meow with attitude” = communication.
  • Ignoring these cues frustrates your cat.
  • Boundaries aren’t optional—they’re sacred.

Respect the whiskers. Or face the paw.


11. Changing Their Food Without Warning

You saw a new fancy cat food with “wild-caught tuna and organic pumpkin.” Sounds great—unless you're the cat.

  • Sudden food changes upset their stomach.
  • Cats can be super picky eaters.
  • Gradual transition is key—mix the new with the old over several days.

Otherwise? You’re cleaning up surprise barf at 2 AM.


12. Ignoring Their Playtime Needs

You’re binge-watching Netflix, and your cat is literally climbing the curtains. Wonder why?

  • Cats need daily playtime.
  • Without it, they get bored, anxious, and destructive.
  • Wand toys, laser pointers, cardboard boxes—anything helps.

Your cat doesn’t hate you for relaxing—they hate being ignored like yesterday’s laundry.


13. Weird Smells (Yes, Even Your Perfume)

Cats live in a world of scent. If you suddenly smell like oranges, lavender, or your new "spicy oud cologne," they might legit avoid you.

  • Citrus, menthol, vinegar = instant “nope”.
  • Even strong cleaning products can freak them out.
  • Stick to unscented whenever possible.

If your cat sniffs you and runs? Yeah, maybe skip the essential oils next time.


14. Too Many Guests = Stress Fest

You love hosting game night. Your cat wishes everyone would leave and never come back.

  • Strangers = unpredictable energy.
  • Loud laughter, unfamiliar smells, and new shoes? Nightmare fuel.
  • Provide a safe, quiet room when guests are over.

Cats aren’t antisocial. They just have selective social energy.


15. Being Treated Like a Dog

No offense to dog people, but cats are not here to please you 24/7.

  • Don’t expect them to sit, stay, or come when called.
  • Cats aren’t disobedient—they’re just independent thinkers.
  • They’ll love you—but on their terms.

So yeah, if you’re waiting for your cat to fetch your slippers, you’ll be waiting a while. 😹


Final Thoughts: It’s Not You… It’s Kind of You

Let’s be honest—your cat doesn’t totally hate you. But they do have some very strong opinions about your habits. And you know what? That’s part of the charm.


The beauty of cats is their honesty. If they’re annoyed, they show it. If they love you, they’ll curl up on your laptop and stop you from working (which is basically a compliment, right?).

If you’ve read this and thought, “OMG, I do like 10 out of 15 of these,” don’t panic. Just tweak a few things, listen to their signals, and respect their space. You’ll earn back their silent approval in no time.

Now go apologize to your cat. And maybe bring treats. Lots of treats. 😉

About the author

Sidan Abdessamad
unofficial “Prime Minister” of Tuvalu 🏝️🇹🇻