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Original poster

DH says cat needs to show more gratitude

483 replies

UngratefulFeline · 06/06/2025 08:52

I’ve been away for a few days and DH managed the kids and the dog just fine.

He’s upset with our cat though and says he made a real effort to bond with him by giving him treats, protecting him when our dog had the zoomies and making sure his bedding was fluffed.

DH said the cat gave nothing back, blanked him and even swatted at DH when he tried to pet him.

DH wants to know why the cat doesn’t show any gratitude. I explained to DH very carefully that the reason the cat doesn’t show any gratitude is because it is a cat.

DH says that is illogical and there must be a real reason and “it’s a cat” doesn’t cut the mustard.

YABU- Deeper reason why cat won’t show gratitude
YANBU- it’s a cat.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Hettyhopeless · 06/06/2025 09:01

My cat showed his gratitude this morning by leaving me a delightful pile of mouse entrails on the kitchen floor. I could live without that demonstration of gratitude if I’m honest!

MadlyTrudyDeeply · 06/06/2025 09:01

Has he never met a cat before?

I literally saved our cat from certain death, nursed her back to life, introduced her to dreamies and cat yoghurt - and when the mood takes her, she pisses on me. Not DH, who did none of those things and is constantly telling her to get off him and leave him alone. No, me. I get the urine. I'd prefer disdain.

Koolandorthegang · 06/06/2025 09:01

😂tell that ungrateful moggie to sling his hook!

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 06/06/2025 09:00

Can I request a photo of this marvellous creature please (the cat not your DH 😁).

fdwisfbr · 06/06/2025 09:00

Dh is being a bit of a knob.
It sounds like he has only just noticed he's living in the cat's house. Not surprising the cat isn't amused.

enigmainthemist · 06/06/2025 09:00

😂

DH says cat needs to show more gratitude
Screamingabdabz · 06/06/2025 08:59

“I’ve been away for a few days and DH managed the kids and the dog just fine.”

Is there any reason why a grown adult wouldn’t?

I’m with your DH. Cats are pointless pets.

Dilbertian · 06/06/2025 08:59

Do chickens show gratitude?

I'll bet he was staring at the cat with a wide grin - completely oblivious that open-eyed stares and showing teeth are threatening behaviours in cat-language.

cakeisallyouneed · 06/06/2025 08:59

He needs to be more grateful in his servitude to his kitty overlord. We live to serve our masters.

MiracleCures · 06/06/2025 08:59

My dog rolls his eyes and sighs and does a revolting fart after I have spent 5 minutes serenading him with a song I have just made up.
I too really struggle with how ungrateful he is.

Maybe we need an etiquette advisor for pets?

Original poster
UngratefulFeline · 06/06/2025 08:58

Blackdow · 06/06/2025 08:55

I don’t know how you kept a straight face. He didn’t seriously say that?
It’s actually a little worrying about how that extends… does he expect the children to show gratitude for simply being given a bed for the night? It’s just a scary side of his personality really; I’d be worried what he’d expect from the kids if he actually has to you know, do things for his kids. Especially when they’re older. He’ll be one of those parents who attach strings to everything and eventually, your children will be teens and adults and won’t want to accept a dinner invite because they’ll be expected to fall over themselves to thank him. Bit yucky really, and a very strange form of dominance.

100% pure Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Ted27 · 06/06/2025 08:58

DH needs to learn where his place in the pecking order is

Original poster
UngratefulFeline · 06/06/2025 08:57

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 06/06/2025 08:55

Does your DH fail to interact with the cat when you are there?
Your post reads as if he's only just noticed that a cat exists in your (presumably joint?) house.

He regularly tries to call the cat over to him and has whistled in the past. He has coped with this failure but I really think he had visions of the cat and him becoming BFFs while I was away.

OP posts:
Sunshineandgrapefruit · 06/06/2025 08:57

It's worrying that he has clearly lived with the cat for a while and doesn't understand this!

KimberleyClark · 06/06/2025 08:57

Cats are ungrateful little bastards.

OfNoOne · 06/06/2025 08:57

It's a cat. It showed gratitude by not eating his eyeballs while he slept.

Give it more scritches and treats to show gratitude to the cat.

MoistVonL · 06/06/2025 08:57

He wants thanking… Are you married to JD Vance?

Gratitude from the cat 😂😂😂😂
It’s not going to happen.

Dilbertian · 06/06/2025 08:57

🤣🤣🤣🤣

MiracleCures · 06/06/2025 08:57

I agree with your Dh.

Any cat that doesn't send beautifully hand written thank you note after being cared for just didn't pay enough attention at finishing school.

Sheepsheeps · 06/06/2025 08:57

UngratefulFeline · 06/06/2025 08:52

I’ve been away for a few days and DH managed the kids and the dog just fine.

He’s upset with our cat though and says he made a real effort to bond with him by giving him treats, protecting him when our dog had the zoomies and making sure his bedding was fluffed.

DH said the cat gave nothing back, blanked him and even swatted at DH when he tried to pet him.

DH wants to know why the cat doesn’t show any gratitude. I explained to DH very carefully that the reason the cat doesn’t show any gratitude is because it is a cat.

DH says that is illogical and there must be a real reason and “it’s a cat” doesn’t cut the mustard.

YABU- Deeper reason why cat won’t show gratitude
YANBU- it’s a cat.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Tell him to look up anthropomorphism......

Pickingmyselfup · 06/06/2025 08:56

I tell my cat she should be thankful all the time but instead she throws up on my rug.

Your standard cat is generally a bit of a twat, the world revolves around them and we are there to serve. It's a somewhat endearing quirk of a cat who exists just to annoy you.

Did he not realise this when you got the cat?

Octavia64 · 06/06/2025 08:56

Sorry that’s given me a real laugh.

JingsMahBucket · 06/06/2025 08:56

This is hilarious 😂

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 06/06/2025 08:55

Does your DH fail to interact with the cat when you are there?
Your post reads as if he's only just noticed that a cat exists in your (presumably joint?) house.

IvorBiggen · 06/06/2025 08:55

The fact that your DH is still alive means that the cat loves him. It is your DH who is being ungrateful.

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