Can Cats Hold Grudges?
What feline memory tells us about “revenge” behavior"
We’ve all seen the memes - cats plotting revenge after being taken to the vet or left home for a long weekend. But is it true?
Not quite.
Cats absolutely remember people, experiences, and routines. But science doesn’t support the idea that they hold grudges the way humans do.
When a cat avoids you after a nail trim, or leaves a surprise on your pillow after you return from vacation, it’s not “payback.” It’s communication.
They’re expressing stress, confusion, or unmet needs in the only ways they know how.
Let’s take litter box issues. It’s tempting to say, “He’s mad I went away!” But it’s more likely: “My routine was disrupted, I feel anxious, and I don’t know how to cope.”
Once we see it this way, our response changes from defensiveness to compassion - and the problem gets solved faster.
🐾 Members: In the Coonie Clan today, we’re digging deeper into feline memory, recognition, and emotional associations. Do cats forgive? Can they associate people with safety - or danger - for years? Come find out!
