Here is something you weren’t expecting. Researchers recently looked at the human-feline connection — and they discovered that the closest bonds forged were with cats who misbehaved! That’s right, people adore cats who acted out and were destructive. You can see an article about the study here.
Although the research was done with Brazilian cats and their humans, I think you can agree, bad cats do have a certain allure worldwide. (I mean, Binga has been gone for three years and she STILL has a huge fan club here!) Why do humans love bad cats? Having lived with Binga for the first five years of my life here, I think I have a few ideas.
- It’s exciting! Bad kitties are unpredictable. You never know what trouble they’re going to get into next. Life is never boring with them around.
- They exude confidence. It’s actually hard for a lot of humans to be bad. In fact, they tend to be secretive about it, and hide their acts of misbehavior. Bad cats own their behavior. In fact, many are proud of their willfulness. Maybe their humans are hoping a little of that self-confidence will rub off on them.
- They’re not afraid of you. The type of courage a bad cat has to steal or break things right in front of you is pretty impressive, really. And if they are doing something in secret, it’s only so that you won’t interrupt them. Bad cats are amazing ninjas when they need to be. Would you rather live with a meek creature who never did anything wrong — or a ninja?
- You are a little envious. Admit it, don’t you wish you could do what you want, without a care about what anyone thought? A life without rules, without fear. Just like your misbehaving cat. You’ve got to admire their attitude.
- You like a challenge. I’m not saying you actually want to change your bad cat’s behavior. (Even if you say you do, confess — you’re really in awe of their brazenness.) It is not easy living with a cat who acts out. But you can! And that is an accomplishment on its own.
- You understand them in a way that nobody else can. A lot of people would be so frustrated over your cat’s behavior that they would pull out all the stops to control them. Of course, trying that is bound to fail miserably. You know better. And not only that, you love your cat just the way they are. You like their independent, willful behavior, and you never want them to change. You’ll work around their bad habits and appreciate the adventure they bring into your life. Life would be dull without them, and you know it.
So what do you think? Do you live with a bad cat, and appreciate the excitement they bring into your life? Let me know in the comments!
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Is Your Cat’s Bad Behavior Really Boredom?
- Punish a Cat? Never! How to Avoid Ruining Your Relationship With Your Kitty
- There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Cat. Yes, Really!
Summer I have to comment again about Sonny. My sister passed away in August. Sonny was a nightmare and the vet put him on Fluoxetine as he attacked nurses that came to take care of my sister. I believe Sonny was so protective of her, he thought they were hurting her. I’ve never seen a human/cat bond like they had. When she died everyone gave up on him. Two of her kids said they would take him. Then they flipped the script and gave excuses why they couldn’t. I made it my life’s mission to find him a happy home. He had to be the only pet. I couldn’t hear the thought he could be out down. My sister would be mortified. I cared for him until the house went up for sale. I worked for an older lady who lost her beloved cat last October. She offered to take him. He’s a whole new cat. Very happy, well behaved and I’m thrilled. He and his new human love each other. Brought me to tears seeing him so happy and at peace. I did it for my sister
Mau is as tame as they come, but he sometimes likes to jump onto high places and, of course, he gets the crazy cat zoomies. When I first got him, he tried to eat off my plate, but he learned that that is unacceptable to me.
Oh Summer the biker outfit . I’m dying honestly my girls are pretty well behaved. But there is the occasional mishap of naughtiness. I’ve had a couple “bad cats” My Callikit was just like Bings but she mellowed with age. She made it to 20. Now let’s discuss Sonny, my sister’s cat. He’s a hissing biting attacking nightmare. However he’s a pussycat with my sister. He nurses on her and worships her. Go figure
Definitely #6. TW says I was certainly worth waiting for. I still bite and act out but I’m a bit more (cough, cough) lovable now that I’m older. I actually (cough, cough) trust them. I was worth sticking with me through all the biting and attacking until I calmed down some.
We’re pretty sure cats are not actually “bad.” It’s just that people don’t always “get” those kitties.
Very good points! I’ve never really had a “bad cat” …even my torties have all been little angels. Just a little feistier 😉
I do wish I could just do what I want and not care about what other people think about it! Cats are very wise. Perhaps we can learn something from misbehaving felines. 😉
You’ll have to count me out. I am not an adorer or bad behavior.
Our late cats were really considerate gentlemen…..really. I don’t
think I would get along at all with a “bad cat”. Glad I don’t have to.
Hey, you look great in the ‘cycle duds”.
It makes me think of my Beebs who was something of a bad boy and who I wouldn’t have given up for the world.
#1 (still missing him desperately after more than two years)
I don’t think cats are bad, just sometimes misunderstood.
My Angel Lucy had cattitude like Binga did and I loved her very much. I love all cats, good, bad and in-between. XO
My favorite line in this blog “if they are doing something in secret, it’s only so that you won’t interrupt them”. I adopted a small lady tabby with a cut-off-ish tail because I was afraid no one else would take her. She’s not a bully but the other cats know to keep out of her way. We love each other So much, but there are a couple of things…
I don’t know that “bad” would describe any other boy kitty here, more like excitement pending would be it!
I have a bad kitty. Petey became boss cat the day I brought him home at 16 weeks old. He refused to be kept in the bedroom where I separated him from my other cars for a proper introduction. The first time I opened the door to check on him he was out the door and more to nose with Gus.
He scares me though. He has developed PICA and chees on string-like objects. He also shreds paper as cardboard. He’s better now after visiting the vet. He has a calming collar and I got Feliway diffusers.
Nope, no such thing as a ‘bad’ cat, just a human who doesn’t understand cat behavior.
Which is why Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy has made it his career to teach us that cats aren’t tiny humans, or a dog; they have specific needs and hard-wired to look at life very differently from humans.
Every cat is a good cat!
Interesting. I’m not really a bad cat though I can be challenging at times.
I don’t know that I believe in “bad cats.” But I see your points, Summer!
Those are all good points .
I think there is a little bad in all of us.
We just do not show it often 😉
Give us the right temptation and setting and I think that could easily change 😉 MOL!!!!
Purrs, Julie