Do Cats Hold Grudges?

While studies may show that the memory of cats can range from a short time up to 16 hours in some, the outward response of individual cats may be quite varied. Responses to positive stimuli such as feeding and companionship are certainly recognized, but responses that demonstrate an upset kitty often get the most attention.

Since cats can’t verbalize their displeasure, unwelcome behaviors often occur, including house-soiling (urinating or defecating outside the litter box or someplace else in the house), vocalization or even irritability or aggression. Unless you are really aware of some of the warning signs, or can figure out what change or event triggered the behaviors, it can be very difficult to pinpoint what is wrong and know how to help fix it.

The first steps are to provide a complete veterinary evaluation, often including blood work and a urinalysis, to rule out any possible medical conditions (for example, a bladder infection or pain). Stress from changes in the environment can lead to anxiety about what might happen next, and can trigger unwanted behaviors. ANXITANE® (L-Theanine) Tablets are an amino acid supplement that has been shown to help reduce anxiety in dogs and cats, without using a prescription drug. Along with behavioral modification, reducing the stress levels of a cat might help resolve some of the issues.