84 Times Cat Owners Caught Their Adorable Pets Behaving Like Jerks

Many cat owners have complicated relationships with their pets. One moment, your precious little kitty will be sleeping on your chest, looking like an absolute angel. Then five minutes later, they might be jumping on the shelves, trying to knock down every knick-knack you own. Or they’ll be perfect all day, then decide to have zoomies and wreak havoc on your apartment all night.

When you adopt a cat, you have to understand that you’re agreeing to having a little menace in your home. They won’t always be perfectly behaved, but they will be adorable and entertaining. It’s a tradeoff you have to be willing to accept. But according to Animal Behavior College, these little felines aren’t actually jerks; they’re just misunderstood.

When we see our cats exhibiting mischievous behavior, it’s easy to take it personally. You might feel like they’re doing this intentionally to anger you or get a reaction out of you. But the thing is, children and dogs often act the same way. In fact, even adults sometimes unintentionally annoy others. So we have to remember that it’s not being done maliciously. Your cat may be smart, but they’re probably not calculated enough to try to ruin your life.

Oftentimes, a cat behaves in a certain way to communicate. For example, they might actually be in pain. By acting out, or acting out of character, your kitty might be trying to tell you that they need to visit a vet. Don’t berate them for doing their business outside of their litter box or hissing at you when you touch their stomach. Consider if there’s something deeper, and potentially dangerous, going on.  

Another reason why your kitty might be acting like a jerk is the fact that they’re simply bored. When teenagers don’t have any other way to occupy their time, they tend to start taking risks and acting out. Cats are the same way. If they don’t have enough toys, and nobody is helping them get their energy out, cats can become restless. Instead of becoming frustrated with your pet who keeps climbing all over your bookshelf, provide them with something else to do. 

It’s also common for cats’ behavior to change when they start smelling something strange. Have you ever noticed your kitty making a funny face with their mouth wide open after sniffing stinky socks or a strong cup of coffee? A cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than our own, so they can pick up on scents much faster than we can. Plus, they might have a much different opinion on what smells nice and what doesn’t. If you’re burning a new candle or trying out a new room spray, keep an eye on your cat’s behavior. They might be trying to tell you that they don’t approve. 

Something else to keep in mind before judging your cat’s behavior is the fact that most kitties really don’t like change. If you’ve recently moved, brought a new pet into your household, hosted guests, or even changed the layout of your furniture, it can be impossible to predict how your cat will react. Don’t be too hard on them if they start acting out. Give them some time to adjust to the changes, and if their behavior still doesn’t improve, then it might be time to address it. 

Sometimes, when my cat is being naughty, I can’t help but laugh. I know he doesn’t mean to upset me, and he does look hilarious while running through the apartment with a corn tortilla in his mouth. But if you’re really struggling with your cat’s behavior, and you’re not sure where to turn, Love Animal Hospital recommends providing plenty of scratching posts for your pet. Without anywhere to let out their stress, frustration, or energy, they might turn to furniture or valuables.  

It’s also a great idea to reward your cat when they exhibit good behavior. At the end of the day, they’re just animals. And everyone likes to be rewarded for their efforts. Have plenty of treats around to surprise your little guy or gal with when you're proud of how they're acting. The more you encourage their good behavior, the more likely they’ll be to repeat it in the future.

As frustrating as it may be, this list makes it clear that naughty behavior from cats can also be quite hilarious. Keep upvoting the pics that you find particularly funny (although you might not have been laughing if they were your cats), and let us know in the comments below what the naughtiest thing your cat has ever done was. Then, if you’re looking for even more photos that will simultaneously make you say “aww” and “oh no,” check out this Bored Panda article next!