Just like us humans, every cat is different in the cat world - they have their favourite toys, treats and things that annoy them or they outright hate. We've put together a series of the most common things and activities that cats hate. You should therefore either avoid them altogether with your cat or prepare her (and yourself) sufficiently for them.
Loud sounds
Cats have very sensitive ears, so loud noises are unpleasant for them, but also noises that appear suddenly and unexpectedly (e.g. sneezes). On the other hand, cats also appreciate pleasant sounds, which can be music, the sound of leaves outside or the calm voice of their owner.
Baths
Lots of cats like to look at running water, dip their paws in it or lick it, but getting in all the way? Not a chance! (There are, of course, cat-enthusiastic swimmers, but these are the exceptions). Unlike dogs, cats (especially if they live at home) don't need to be bathed and rinsed; most cats can manage hygiene quite well on their own. If you want to help your cat with hygiene, introduce regular brushing at home or use a damp cloth.
Improper gossiping
Cats sometimes seem like cute little cuddly things that we want to cuddle. However, improper scratching and overly affectionate handling can be unpleasant for your cat. Cats love gentle stroking and scratching - especially on the neck, behind the ears and on the head. The rest of the cat's body is very individual and the cat is not always in the mood for the same. The tail and paws are usually very sensitive areas for a cat. Similarly, scratching on the belly can be uncomfortable for many cats. Some may enjoy it, others may start kicking you with their back legs or even biting you - this is a defensive reaction, so it's best to let go and let the cat tell you where it wants to scratch.
Claw trimming
You may be lucky enough to come across a cat that doesn't mind having its claws clipped. You can teach some cats to clip their claws if you start from kittenhood. However, if you have an older cat and no one has taught her to clip her claws, or if she has been taught but to no avail, prepare for a "fight". It's a good idea to wrap a cat that is afraid of clipping in a towel so that it can't fight back too much and hurt both you and itself.
Editor's note: If your cat goes outdoors, consider clipping her claws, for a cat her claws are not only a weapon, but an effective aid when walking, for example, in trees.
Some smells and odours
Cats have very sensitive noses. They can tell when you open something good in the kitchen, but they can also tell when the food in the basket is spoiled and smells bad. A cat naturally doesn't smell rotten meat, but neither do fresh vegetables and fruit, some herbs (mint) and you certainly won't please your cat if your whole apartment "smells" of artificial scents and chemical cleaning products.
Dirty cat litter box
Cats like cleanliness, so they wash several times a day and avoid mud and dirt outside. That's why many cats refuse to go into an uncleaned cat litter box. And we can't blame them, imagine having a much better and more developed sense of smell and having to go into a closed container where the smells of excrement and urine have been lingering for over two days.
If you ignore them
Although it may seem like it at first glance, a cat is not nearly as reclusive as it looks. A cat needs regular socialization with its humans (or other living beings), whether it's playing, cuddling, or simply lounging in the presence of a human. If a cat feels neglected, it may start to "misbehave" - scratching and biting furniture, dropping things, or going to do chores outside its litter box.
