How Does a Cat Say Sorry? Vet-Approved Signs & Behavior Explained

Cats are known for getting up to mischief in the house, whether it's knocking over your favorite flower vase or scratching your new couch. Many cat owners may feel as if the cat is doing this on purpose to upset them and that they certainly are not sorry about it. You might begin to punish your cat or try to get them to feel sorry about what they did.

While it is possible that cats can sense that you feel bad because of what they did wrong, it is not in the same way that humans would. Read on for the detailed answer.

Can Cats Feel Sorry?

Cats can feel sorry to a certain extent, but the answer isn’t very simple since it’s difficult for humans to understand the depth of a cat’s emotions. The truth is that most cats don't fully understand what they did wrong, but they can analyze your facial features and tone of voice to determine if you are upset. For your cat to feel sorry about something they did, they would need to feel guilt or regret.

Even though cats and humans can feel similar emotions, regret, and guilt aren't a cat's strongest emotions. Cats can experience a range of emotions, but they can’t comprehend apologizing to you or making amends. Your cat might feel remorse about certain things if they already know you are going to react negatively about it. Scientific research on pet emotion is still developing, and there might be clearer answers in the future.

How Do Cats Tell You They Are Sorry?

If you have ever witnessed your cat doing something they weren’t supposed to, such as peeing outside of the litterbox, you might reprimand them by using a stern tone of voice and negative facial features. Your cat will be able to pick up that you are unhappy with them which can cause them to feel scared by hiding away or looking at you with a sad expression on their face. They will associate the thing they did wrong with your negative reaction, and feel scared if they do it again.

This can make it seem like your cat is feeling sorry, but they are likely showing their fear of being reprimanded or punished for something they didn’t know was wrong or they couldn’t avoid doing! Since guilt is a complicated feeling that is likely not felt the same way as we as humans feel it, then cats probably don’t feel truly sorry like humans can. Instead, they react to your reaction, such as a raised voice, lower-pitched tone of voice, and even negative body language. This can make them feel bad or even sorry that they are the reason for your mood.

If your cat rubs up against your legs and meows after doing something wrong, they might be trying to show affection to you because you are giving them attention rather than apologizing. This is common in cats who enjoy it when you interact with them. Their behavior might be a way to show that they are happy you are talking to them and giving them attention, and not because they are trying to soften you up because you are upset about something they did.

Do Cats Know When They Did Something Wrong?

Have you ever come home to your favorite ornament lying in pieces on the floor and your cat hiding away? It might seem like your cat is feeling sorry for what they did, and in a way, it could be your cat's way of showing you that they are sorry. However, you have to consider the fact that your cat might associate them knocking something down with you getting angry with them.

This is common for cats who are punished and reprimanded after doing something to upset you, and it can invoke a sense of fear in them.

If this is the case, there are more positive ways to go about teaching your cat what are good and bad behaviors in your home. Most cats will learn with positive words and actions from you, instead of being shouted at or handled differently than they would be if they didn’t do something wrong. If you are someone who ignores your cat after they make a mistake, your cat may purposefully become affectionate towards you to get a reaction from you.

Do Cats Upset You On Purpose?

Some cats may have a reputation for being naughty, bossy, or up to no good, but cats don’t do bad things with the intent to upset you. It might seem this way from time to time, but your cat probably sees the situation differently than you. Although they are intelligent animals, cats don’t feel any satisfaction by upsetting you and purposefully ruining things in your home.

While a cat might knock over a vase or cup on the counter against your warnings not to, they don’t do it out of spite. They might knock the glass of water or vase over with their tails or body by accident, or they think since it can move around, the glass or vase is a toy. By you saying “no” and interacting with your cat, they may begin to think it is a game. This is why some cats will repeat certain behaviors even if it isn’t good.  

Final Thoughts:

While cats don’t apologize to us or feel sorry like we can, they still show behaviors that make us believe they have acknowledged that what they did was wrong. Cats need encouragement and positivity to learn new things and feel safe, which is why you should never punish or shout at a cat for doing something they weren’t supposed to. This can instead make your cat feel scared and stressed.

Your disapproval is often viewed as you talking to your cat and paying attention to them, which is why many cats will show more affection to you after doing something wrong.

• Related Read: 7 Signs Your Cat Missed You (Explained)