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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / 7 Things Humans Do That Confuse Cats

7 Things Humans Do That Confuse Cats

August 11, 2021 By: Summer Samba20 Comments

Summer lists 7 things humans do that confuse cats, from talking to forbidding them to get off the counters.

Humans, for the most part, are pretty nice. I can say that because I’ve met lots of them, and it has nearly always been a good experience. But they can be really mystifying! There are a lot of ways humans behave that confuse cats, and I thought I would list a few of them. Can you see how illogical these are?

  1. They tell us we’re not supposed to be on the table/ counter/ other random place. We’re cats and we can pretty much go anywhere as long as we can jump or climb on it. We have no idea why some spots seem to be okay with humans, and then they get upset about others. The rules regarding food and imagined dangers seem really arbitrary.
     
  2. Scratching furniture. We cats have solid preferences about scratching surfaces. They are based on paw and claw feel, positioning (some cats prefer vertical, others prefer horizontal), and scent (either leaving our own or covering up someone else’s). Whatever comes closest to what we like, we will scratch. We have no concept of furniture or value, so when a human gets upset about us scratching one thing without providing us something that in our estimation is better, we don’t get it.
     
  3. Showering. Most cats don’t like getting wet. (And even though I get regular baths, they are not my most favorite activity.) So how can humans not only tolerate getting under running water daily, but also do it willingly? Some cats get really upset about this. The occasional cat, on the other paw, chooses to join their human in the shower, but they’re weirdos.
     
  4. Rub our bellies when that’s not what we’re asking for. Granted, I do like my belly rubbed, and I often appreciate it. But a cat exposing her belly is a sign of comfort, trust, and indicates that she feels safe. It’s actually rude to invade her space when she’s showing herself at her most vulnerable. Which is why so many cats will automatically turn into biting and clawing wildcats when you go in for the belly rub.
     
  5. Gardening. Isn’t digging around in the dirt meant for, um, something else other than moving plants around?
     
  6. House cleaning. Scent is an important part of communication and marking territory for a cat. So it baffles us that humans go out of their way to remove their scents (not to mention ours), and replace them with with something meaningless and flowery.
     
  7. The whole talking thing. Cats don’t need to meow to communicate with each other, so it is really puzzling why humans vocalize so much with each other — and with us too! You have to give us credit for learning to vocalize back. And while we may not speak your language, exactly, we are pretty good at making our wants and needs known that way. It’s the easiest way to communicate with humans. But honestly, your cat wishes you could twitch your ears, blink, and use body language and scent like a proper cat.

These are just a few things that humans do that cats find confusing. What do you do that confuses your cats? Let me know in the comments.

Other posts you’ll enjoy:

  • How to Motivate Your Human
  • Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat… and How I React to Them
  • Do Cats Felinamorphize Humans?
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7 Things Humans Do That Confuse Cats
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Comments

  1. Catherine Lingg says

    August 20, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Well Summer, I’m a bit of a clean freak. They watch, laugh and point. Why do these menial repetitive tasks daily. What’s wrong with fur everywhere

    Reply
  2. Kitties bLue says

    August 16, 2021 at 8:24 am

    Cooper says, “thanks,” for explaining that belly rub thing to people. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer & Kizmet

    Reply
  3. Cathy Keisha says

    August 12, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    #1 is a good one. First humans tell us not to go places and then they grab their cameras to take pictures when we go to the “forbidden” places. What confuses me is why do humans sleep at night rather than during the day? I want playtime at night and TW turns me down.

    Reply
  4. Truman says

    August 12, 2021 at 10:43 am

    I don’t understand why my human gets annoyed when I wake her for breakfast. Just because I do it anywhere from 4-5:30 am and I do it by gently biting her thigh doesn’t mean she should protest.

    Reply
  5. meowmeowmans says

    August 11, 2021 at 7:22 pm

    Humans are a little slow on the uptake, Summer. But I am training mine (or at least doing my best)! – Ava

    Reply
  6. Sasha says

    August 11, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    I am gradually training my human. Ahe can do the slow blink and she knows when I want various things. Well, at least she does, sometimes.

    Reply
  7. Melissa & Mudpie says

    August 11, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Very wise post, Summer. MOL on #5!

    Reply
  8. Athena says

    August 11, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    You are so wise, Summer!

    I

    Reply
  9. Indulgedfurries says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:18 am

    Wolfie gets confused that I prepare his food on the kitchen counter, but he’s supposed to go to the counter in the breakfast area to eat it. Tilly doesn’t seem to be confused by that.

    Reply
  10. Angel Whiskeratti says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:15 am

    You have no idea how much I wish I could communicate like a proper cat.

    Reply
  11. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:09 am

    We wonder if there are things that people do that are confusing to pups, too…
    Pipo was a good communicator, he would chirp, and then watch to see if we were following him…he wanted to lead us somewhere when he did that.

    Reply
  12. Ellen Pilch says

    August 11, 2021 at 9:53 am

    I can see how those would be confusing. I can’t resist a tummy- I am guilty of tummy touching and I do pay for it sometimes. XO

    Reply
  13. Pat k says

    August 11, 2021 at 9:36 am

    On communicating…….I strongly suspect cats are good with ESP.
    I think they easily pick up their owner’s thoughts . Try THINKING about
    getting out the treats or some food and see how the cat(s) act.

    Reply
  14. Brian Frum says

    August 11, 2021 at 8:43 am

    You are so right sweet Summer, humans are really confusing most times.

    Reply
  15. Katie Isabella says

    August 11, 2021 at 7:58 am

    Summer, I can well see how confusing it is. I occasionally venture to the shower while she’s in it but…soon as I feel drops, I leave.

    Reply
  16. MARIETTE VANDENMUNCKHOF-VEDDER says

    August 11, 2021 at 7:13 am

    Dearest Summer,
    We had two kitties that were crazy about getting into the shower with me!
    Our late Spooky whom we lost due to heart worm when he was only 3.5, scratched the shower door till I would pick him up and let him in with me. Pieter usually picked him up for toweling off. His younger brother by adoption, was a true copycat, so Barty too loved to be in the shower! All others don’t care for it.
    The same Spooky also jumped into the creek and pond for a swim… so kitties are as diverse as humans are.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    Reply
  17. The Florida Furkids says

    August 11, 2021 at 5:36 am

    We agree, humans are super confusing!!

    The Florida Furkids

    Reply
  18. Ernie the Island Cat says

    August 11, 2021 at 5:10 am

    I’ll never figure humans out, Summer. But as long as I get fed and get treats…I don’t care! 😉

    Reply
  19. Charles Huss says

    August 11, 2021 at 3:55 am

    Frankie used to be very curious about me showering. Every time I was in the shower he was there poking his head in wondering how I could stand getting wet. After several months he stopped doing that. Maybe he figured it out or maybe he just got bored.

    Reply
  20. Mickey's Musings says

    August 11, 2021 at 1:04 am

    Those are all pawsome points!
    Considering how much time humans spend with us,
    you would think they would know us better.
    Some humans are better than others at reading our cues.
    Humans can be trained too.
    I love belly rubs and get them often 🙂
    Purrs, Julie

    Reply

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