Does a Cat Feel Guilt? The Question Can Lead to Serious Misunderstandings

We tend to anthropomorphize our pets, attributing human traits to animals. But is this the case when it comes to guilt?

In this article, we explore what a cat might actually feel in situations or behaviors that we find unpleasant or consider guilt. However, the focus will be more on the owner’s knowledge, as how they judge the cat depends on their understanding.

What Is Guilt?

First, let’s try to define guilt in simple terms. Briefly, we feel guilt when we consciously or unconsciously do something wrong or inappropriate, which we later regret, feeling bad about having done it. Guilt often comes with the intention to make amends. From this description, it’s clear that guilt is a complex internal process and fundamentally a moral issue.

It is scientifically proven that cats experience emotions, and they can feel happiness, sadness, frustration, and even anxiety. However, when it comes to guilt, we must ask why a cat should feel guilty. Here, we turn to the owner’s interpretation, as they often expect or assume guilt in situations they deem inappropriate. In what situations would you expect your cat to feel remorse?

What Is Considered Guilty Behavior?

Common complaints include scratching furniture, urinating outside the litter box, bringing home live or dead animals, as well as scratching and biting. However, all these behaviors are either typical, instinctual feline actions or signals or symptoms from the animal!

Scratching is a form of marking territory and sharpening claws. A bored or stressed cat might also scratch to relieve tension. You can help by providing a scratching post (or several) and ensuring your cat gets enough attention to avoid boredom. If something is stressing your cat, try to eliminate the source or provide a quiet space where they can retreat.

Pooping or peeing outside the litter box could mean the toilet isn’t suitable for the cat (perhaps it’s too small, poorly placed, or not clean enough). There could also be health issues, such as urinary problems or kidney disease. Marking territory is another possibility, common in unneutered males but also seen in neutered cats and females.

When your cat brings home a live (or dead) mouse, lizard, or bird, it’s simply acting like a predator, as cats are in nature (and also prey, which makes them very cautious creatures). Moreover, this is a kind gesture toward you: either they’re trying to gift you with their catch or teach you how to hunt effectively. Instead of scolding or yelling, recognize how skilled your cat is.

If your cat scratches, bites, or ambushes your ankles, there could be several reasons. You may have handled them wrong or been too forceful in your affection, which they want to escape. Cats are particularly sensitive about their bellies! Additionally, bored cats often turn their owners into play targets, especially when they get the “zoomies” — sudden bursts of energy. In such cases, it’s best to play with your cat to burn off their energy and prevent outbursts. As you can see, cats experience many emotions in these scenarios, but guilt is not one of them.