Why Do Some Cat Behaviors Bother Us More Than Others?

A Deep Dive Into Feline Feelings and Human Perceptions

If you’re a cat owner, chances are you’ve been confused or even frustrated by some of your pet’s behaviors. Why does your cat sprint across the house at 3 AM? Why do they scratch your favorite chair even though they have a perfectly good scratching post? While some owners brush these quirks off as “just cat things,” others view them as serious behavioral problems. But what makes certain behaviors problematic in the eyes of owners—and what gets a pass?

A recent study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science titled “Understanding feline feelings: An investigation of cat owners’ perceptions of problematic cat behaviors” by Powell, Watson, and Serpell (2023) sought to answer exactly that. By analyzing responses from nearly 5,000 cat owners across the globe, the study gives us a clearer picture of how people perceive feline behavior—and what that might mean for cat welfare.

A Global Look at Cats and Their Humans

The study used data collected from the Feline Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (Fe-BARQ), a comprehensive survey designed to assess the frequency of various feline behaviors. Between 2016 and 2022, 4,941 cat owners voluntarily filled out this online survey, providing detailed insights into their cats’ daily actions and how they interpreted them (Powell et al., 2023).

Participants were asked to rate whether their cat’s behavior posed no problems, minor problems, or moderate to serious problems. The researchers then used statistical analysis to uncover which behaviors were most strongly associated with negative owner perceptions.

This wasn’t just a study of cats in the U.S.—participants came from 76 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Belgium. The findings thus offer a rare, multinational view of the human-cat relationship.

What Really Bothers Cat Owners?

The behaviors most likely to be labeled as problematic had one thing in common: they disrupted the owner’s environment, lifestyle, or sense of control.

1. Owner-Directed Aggression

This includes biting, scratching, or hissing at familiar humans—especially during petting. Even low levels of aggression significantly raised the odds that an owner would see their cat as problematic. Given the potential for injury or infection, this is understandable. Previous studies have also shown that owner-directed aggression is a major reason cats are surrendered to shelters (Salman et al., 2000; Shore et al., 2008).

2. Aggression Toward Other Cats

For owners with multi-cat households, inter-cat aggression was another red flag. Tension between cats—such as hissing, chasing, or blocking access to resources—made it more likely that an owner would feel dissatisfied or overwhelmed (Elzerman et al., 2020).

3. Urine Spraying

Cats that spray outside the litter box were 75% more likely to be considered problematic. Besides the obvious odor and hygiene concerns, urine spraying is often a sign of stress, territorial disputes, or medical issues (Horwitz, 2019).

4. Crepuscular Activity

Cats are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, but when this translates to 4 AM zoomies or loud play sessions, it can become a problem for sleep-deprived owners. Surprisingly, this common behavior was a strong predictor of owner dissatisfaction (Powell et al., 2023).

5. Fear of Novelty and Escape Attempts

Cats who frequently reacted fearfully to new stimuli or tried to escape the home were also seen as problematic, though to a lesser extent. These behaviors may indicate underlying anxiety or unmet needs for stimulation (Grigg & Kogan, 2019).

What Didn’t Raise Red Flags (But Maybe Should Have)

Interestingly, some behaviors that are often linked to poor welfare were not considered problematic by most owners:

• Separation anxiety

• Excessive grooming or compulsive behavior

• Predatory behavior and prey interest

This suggests that many cat owners may lack awareness of what certain behaviors truly signify. For instance, obsessive licking or tail-chasing can be signs of stress or medical issues (Amat et al., 2016). Predatory behavior, while natural, can have devastating impacts on local wildlife, with one study estimating domestic cats kill billions of birds and mammals annually in the U.S. alone (Loss et al., 2013).

Who Sees Fewer Problems? The Cat (and Owner) Variables

Several traits were linked to lower odds of being perceived as problematic:

• Older and female cats were less likely to be flagged for behavior problems.

• Cats that adapted well to change were also rated more favorably.

• Kneading or suckling soft objects were associated with comfort and security.

• Cats who liked to rest in high or cozy spots were less likely to be viewed negatively.

Indoor Cats, Outdoor Challenges

Another fascinating finding: indoor-only cats were more likely to be seen as problematic. While indoor cats are safer from traffic, predators, and disease—and pose less risk to wildlife—they may also experience more frustration due to a lack of environmental stimulation (Amat et al., 2009; Hirsch et al., 2022).

This highlights the need for indoor environments that support natural feline behaviors like climbing, hunting, and exploring. Owners who keep their cats indoors should compensate with toys, puzzle feeders, vertical spaces, and structured playtime.

So, What Can Cat Owners Do?

The authors argue that many behavioral problems stem from mismatches between feline needs and human expectations. Fortunately, a few steps can go a long way:

• Improve enrichment: Add scratching posts, shelves, hiding spots, and scheduled playtime.

• Avoid punishment: Studies show that owners who rely on punishment often report more behavior problems (Grigg & Kogan, 2019).

• Learn to read feline body language: Subtle signs like freezing, dilated pupils, or crouching can indicate fear or stress (Mariti et al., 2017).

• Manage outdoor access: If free-roaming isn’t possible, consider safe alternatives like leash walks or enclosed patios (van Eeden et al., 2021).

Final Thoughts

Not all cat behaviors that annoy us are necessarily “bad”—and some that seem harmless may actually be cries for help. As Powell et al. (2023) show, the behaviors most likely to be seen as problematic are the ones that disrupt human life. But from a welfare perspective, many less disruptive behaviors deserve just as much attention.

Greater awareness of feline emotional health could help reduce misinterpretations and improve both human satisfaction and animal well-being. In short, the better we understand our cats, the happier we’ll both be.

References:

Amat, M., Camps, T., & Manteca, X. (2016). Stress in owned cats: Behavioural changes and welfare implications. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(8), 577–586. 

Amat, M., de la Torre, J. L. R., Fatjó, J., Mariotti, V. M., Van Wijk, S., & Manteca, X. (2009). Potential risk factors associated with feline behaviour problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 121(3–4), 134–139. 

Elzerman, A. L., DePorter, T. L., Beck, A., & Collin, J.-F. (2020). Conflict and affiliative behavior frequency between cats in multi-cat households: A survey-based study. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(8), 705–717. 

Grigg, E. K., & Kogan, L. R. (2019). Owners’ attitudes, knowledge, and care practices: Exploring the implications for domestic cat behavior and welfare in the home. Animals, 9(11), 978. 

Hirsch, E. N., Geijer, J., & Andersson, M. (2022). Owner perceived behavior in cats and the influence of husbandry practices, housing and owner attitudes in Sweden. Animals, 12(19), 2664. 

Horwitz, D. F. (2019). Common feline problem behaviors: Urine spraying. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 21(3), 209–219. 

Loss, S. R., Will, T., & Marra, P. P. (2013). The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nature Communications, 4, 1396. 

Mariti, C., Guerrini, F., Vallini, V., Bowen, J. E., Fatjó, J., Diverio, S., Sighieri, C., & Gazzano, A. (2017). The perception of cat stress by Italian owners. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 20, 74–81. 

Powell, L., Watson, B., & Serpell, J. (2023). Understanding feline feelings: An investigation of cat owners’ perceptions of problematic cat behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 266, 106025. 

Salman, M. D., Hutchison, J., Ruch-Gallie, R., Kogan, L., New, J. C., Kass, P. H., & Scarlett, J. M. (2000). Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(2), 93–106. 

Shore, E. R., Burdsal, C., & Douglas, D. K. (2008). Pet owners’ views of pet behavior problems and willingness to consult experts for assistance. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 11(1), 63–73. 

van Eeden, L. M., Hames, F., Faulkner, R., Geschke, A., Squires, Z. E., & McLeod, E. M. (2021). Putting the cat before the wildlife: Exploring cat owners’ beliefs about cat containment as predictors of owner behavior. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(1), e502.