14 signs your cat is mad at you

Cats can’t speak, but that doesn’t mean they can’t communicate, and they’re always trying to tell you something, says Dawn Kavanaugh, cat behaviourist and CEO of All About Animals Rescue. Whether they’re happy or sad, in pain, or particularly when they’re a little ticked off, they want you, their favourite human, to know it.

Your cat may make angry cat noises, seemingly purposefully knock something over, or wee on your new bedspread. Instead of instantly reacting, play detective, says Kavanaugh. Out-of-character cat behaviour may be a sign of cat anxiety, cat depression, or something else.

“Your cat needs you to be watching and listening to what it tells you,” she says. “You have to figure out what the kitty is trying to say ≠ and perhaps kitty is saying it’s angry or upset.” A cat’s body language can also hold a number of clues to how it’s feeling.

As for why your cat is angry, chances are it’s afraid, feeling territorial, having a conflict with another cat or a dog, or in pain.

We asked cat behaviour experts to share the subtle signs of how your angry cat may show anger. But remember, no matter how your cat is feeling, you, as their human, should always respond with love and patience.

It can be hard to tell if your cat is keeping her distance because she’s upset, or if she’s staying away because, well, she’s a cat and cats are weirdos. But if your furry friend actively avoids you when she’s normally playful or keeps away for longer than usual, it can be a sign she’s mad, scared, or anxious, says Michael Rueb, cat behaviour expert. Angry cats will keep their distance when they get confused by, say, a sudden loud voice, quick movements, or even an unfamiliar smell on your jacket, he explains. The solution? Let her have her space – she’ll come back when she’s ready.

How to decode your cat’s body language, according to experts.

Think it’s just dogs that growl? Then you’ve never seen an angry cat or fighting cats. Angry cats can make a wide variety of noises that signal their displeasure, including a throaty growl, Rueb says. If your bestie is vocalising his feelings, start by giving him his space and then slowly do things that will create a positive relationship, like feeding, playing with toys, grooming, or speaking softly, Rueb continues.

What look? If you’re a cat owner, you don’t even have to ask – cats are masters of showing their feelings through their eyes. “Cats especially become perturbed when their routine is messed up, like if you’re late feeding them or during daylight savings time,” says Kac Young, PhD, author of The One Minute Cat Manager. The solution is obvious: Cats will do better on a regular, predictable schedule, so do your best to stick to one, she says.

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Toys can actually be a major source of irritation for a cat, Young says. “They get bored with the same toys, so it’s important to mix them up or refresh them with catnip,” she explains. “Cats need lots of stimuli because they are natural hunters and love the game of chase and capture.” That has to do with their hunting instincts, which is also the reason why cats sleep so much.

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Hiding is one of the first signs your cat is unhappy or fearful of you or the situation, says Amy Shojai, a certified animal behaviour consultant and the author of ComPETability: Solving Behaviour Problems in Your Multi-Cat Household. Resist the urge to try to drag your angry cat out of hiding – it’s a protective reflex, and if you force him to socialise before he’s ready he may become aggressive, she explains.

The very stereotype of an “angry cat” is a kitty crouching with an arched back, fluffed out fur and a bushy tail, Shojai says. This gives the animal the appearance of being bigger and more intimidating – which often backfires with enamoured owners. But no matter how cute or funny you find this posture, now is not the time to try and pet her. Give her space or she may swat at you or bite, she says.

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Ears flattened back against the head and slightly sticking out – ”like aeroplane wings” – are a sure indicator your cat is upset, Shojai says. Don’t worry too much but do keep your distance. “An all-out attack toward people isn’t terribly common and, when it happens, may actually be a redirected aggression,” she explains. “Your cat cannot address the real reason for their angst (that bird trespassing in their yard!), so instead they nail a human hand that tries to pet when kitty is upset.”

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Rare is the cat owner who hasn’t discovered a “present” in a surprising place. “Eliminating on your bed is a typical sign of feline separation anxiety,” Shojai says. Even though it may appear she’s an angry cat taking out her frustrations on you, in reality, she is using her own scent as a way to cope with her anxiety. “That they target the bed is sort of a back-handed compliment, because it smells the most like their beloved – you,” she adds.

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Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Has your cat ever begged to be petted and then bit or scratched your hand? This is called “petting aggression,” and it’s totally normal (if annoying), Shojai says. “This ‘leave me alone’ bite doesn’t mean he’s angry, but that he wants to control the interaction, and the petting that goes on too long overstimulates him,” she explains.