Do Cats Hold Grudges – Behavior And What To Know!

There is no denying that cats are proud creatures. They like to run the show and don’t hesitate to let you know it. They also don’t hesitate to let you know when you’ve done something they disapprove of. They can show their disapproval in various ways, such as busting out their claws, running away, or hissing. So if you happen to offend a cat, you will know, pretty much instantly. But can you make it up to them? Do cats hold grudges?

Generally, cats do not hold grudges. However, while adult cats can hold grudges, it’s ultimately based on personality, whether they actually will or not.

Now that you know adult cats can hold a grudge if they want to let’s find out how long they hold grudges when they do hold them, whether or not they hold grudges against other cats, if there is a way to apologize to them and if they actually can forgive us.

How long does a cat hold a grudge for

If a cat decides to hold a grudge against you, it likely won’t be for very long. Cats have a memory of about 16 hours, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan. So if the incident happened a day ago, chances are they are already over it. Again, this will all depend on the nature of the cat. Are they prone to being irritable? If so, they are more likely to hold a grudge longer than a cat who tends to be in a good mood most of the time.

Kittens have a very short memory. This short memory means that if something happened to them that rubbed them the wrong way, they would instantly forget about it. If you have a kitten, there is little to no chance that they will hold a grudge against you.

Do cats hold grudges against other cats

So, what does this mean for other cats? Do they have to face a grudge too? When a cat does hold a grudge, it is likely they would hold a grudge against other cats if the other cats were to do something to upset them. Since the act of holding a grudge is dependent on personality, it doesn’t prevent a cat from holding a grudge from one of its kind.

It is natural for cats to fight, so if your cat finds itself in a situation with another cat that would anger them, be prepared for a possible grudge. But, just like with humans, the grievance should not last long. It all comes down to the length of their memories, so no matter who or what is irritating them, a grudge should pass with a bit of time.

How do you say sorry to a cat

When something happens, and your cat becomes upset with you, especially if it was something you didn’t mean to do, like run over their tail, step on their paw, etc., is it possible to say sorry? 

Before trying to apologize, it is essential to detect your cat’s mood. If they are hiding or have a look that could kill, you might want to wait a bit. Apologizing to a cat that’s angry or not in the mood for human interaction won’t do any good for anyone.

Signs Your Cat Needs to be Alone

• They run and hide
• They wrinkle their nose
• Their whiskers point forward
• Their fur is standing up
• They have their nails out

If your cat seems to be in a slightly better mood–not necessarily back to normal just yet– meaning they may not be quite cheerful or loving again, but they aren’t hiding, they aren’t running away and don’t look visibly upset, feel free to approach. A treat never hurt anybody, right? 

It sounds simple, but a peace offering such as a treat or toy can be an excellent way to try to smooth things over. These can be good options if your cat is hesitant of your touch after the incident. If your cat lets you touch them, a good pet or scratch can always help fix things too.

How to Say Sorry to Your Cat

• A peace offering of toy or treat
• Gentle scratch or pet
• Speak to them in a soft tone
• Give them your time and attention (assuming they want it)

Do cats forgive their owners

After upsetting our cats, it’s only natural to wonder if they forgive us. This thought can be especially present after we’ve hurt them on accident. It is important to remember that they will need their space after an incident. So, even if you immediately apologize and they don’t seem to forgive you, give them some time, and they’ll eventually come around when they are ready.

This still begs the question of whether or not they forgive us. Some say it’s impossible to know for sure. Since cats have a much shorter memory span, many wonder if they forgive or forget. Forgiveness is a complex feeling, so it may be something that cats truly can’t experience.

Whether or not they truly forgive us, it is still a good idea to comfort them when they are ready—reiterating that loving connection between the two of you will only make your bond stronger.

Final Thoughts 

So, while it is doubtful that a kitten could ever hold a grudge, adult cats can hold them. It will ultimately come down to their personality, just like us humans. Some of us can hold a grudge, and some of us can’t (even if we want to). If your cat is sensitive, they will be more likely to hold a grudge. A cat that tends to be reasonably happy-go-lucky may not even get that upset about what happened.

For cats that do get upset, however, they are more likely to forgive a person they are more comfortable with and when incidents tend to only occur once in a blue moon. The good news is if your cat does decide to hold a grudge against you, chances are it won’t even be for an entire day. 

In terms of other cats, they will likely respond to them the same way as humans. So you can expect a similar response, whether it is you or your other cat that upset them. If you need to say sorry to them, make sure to do it at the right time because apologizing too soon won’t help your matters. While it is still unclear if cats forgive us or forget what happened, they will eventually come around and be their happy selves again.