Britain is a nation of cat lovers… but is the feeling entirely mutual? A new study by Burns Pet Nutrition suggests some felines may be plotting against their owners.
With nearly a third of UK households having a cat – around 12.5 million domestic felines – the study of 2,000 owners suggests some cat parents have a considerably harder time than others.
From seeing their prized property wrecked to being mauled, gaslit or spied on, cat owners have lifted the lid on what life is really like sharing their home with a mischievous feline.
A third of owners say they have awoken to discover their cat staring at them while four in 10 (41%) say they are aware of their feline’s watchful eyes at the window when they are outside.
And nearly a fifth (19%) admit they’ve been terrified by their cat who has suddenly leapt onto them “out of nowhere”.
Worse still, more than a third of owners (37%) say they can stroke their cat for no more than five minutes before it runs away or attacks them – with one in 10 saying it has drawn blood.
A quarter (26%) of owners say their furry so-called friend has wrecked a piece of furniture, while one in 10 say their cat has destroyed a treasured item of clothing.
More than a third (38%) of owners say their cat has plonked itself down directly in front of the television or on their computer when they are trying to work.
More than a quarter of owners (28%) say their cat has meowed for food, only to ignore it – but only 13% suggested their cat is only affectionate when hungry.
Other traits highlighted in the study include one in 10 owners saying their cat has thrown-up in front of guests and 15% saying it vomited just before their owner is about to leave the house.
And, one in 10 owners say their cat has knocked a vase or drink off the table while looking directly at them.
But it is not all bad news, with nearly half of owners (48%) saying their cat regularly seeks their affection, and fewer than one in 10 (9%) saying they are forced to seek their pet’s attention.
And, nearly half (47%) of the owners said their cat sleeps with them on the bed all the time, with three-quarters (73%) saying all the time or regularly.
Nutritionist at Burns Pet Nutrition Laura Crotch-Harvey comments “Cats are wonderful and curious creatures – and that’s why we love them.
“The findings of this survey offer a fascinating glimpse into feline-human companionship, highlighting a range of cat behaviours that are richly diverse and often reflect the unique bonds they have with their owner.
“A cat brings huge joy to a home, and I’d bet every single owner who’s ever complained their furry friend has damaged property or given them a nasty scratch, forgave them soon after.
“Cats can sometimes flip from play or cuddles to attack mode, this is often due to over-stimulation, when interacting with your cat, little and often is the best approach.
“I would also bet that every owner adores their cat’s cheeky and at times mischievous antics, which do cause the occasional crash or yelp in the home.”
