DH says cat needs to show more gratitude

[UngratefulFeline]

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.

Dogs think they're human, cats think they're God.

YANBU - It's a cat.

HaHaHa

I don't really understand why people have cats, precisely because every cat I've ever encountered has been cold and misanthropic. But then again I wouldn't expect a cat to be anything other than that, so expecting it to show gratitude is kind of hilarious.

My dad was the same, he’s a dog person but he’s got this weird loving relationship with my cat now which entertains me so much
“I don’t really understand cats” he says while stroking my cat “also I don’t really like them” (5 seconds later “oh my big baby you like your little belly rubs don’t you”)
mine is very affectionate though and will play fetch

Our cat thinks he is a dog. Comes when called,chases his tail and plays fetch!
He absolutely adores DS1, whose 18 and the dog, he won’t give me or DH the time of day.
Cats are arseholes!

He's expecting hell to freeze over. Ain't gonna happen!😂

Tell your husband from me that he is a daft bugger 😂

Good heavens

Gratitude? Mine gets verbally abusive when I don't serve up food or open doors fast enough (yes, you can tell it from a meow) and is quite vengeful if life is not to his satisfaction. Also, he does that cat thing where he turns over and asks for tummy scratches but then bites you if he's had enough or you unwittingly scratch the wrong bit. I guess we all get a little taste of what it was like to be a Roman in the crosshairs of a Nero or a Caligula.

Both my cats love me. Granted, the little one also loves the neighbours, the postman, the Amazon delivery guy, every cat sitter she's ever met, etc etc. She's loving, not loyal. But my senior cat is bonded to me and when I have to go away she spends the day after I come home sitting on my lap. But she's not very good at being a cat really. To be honest, she's not the most intelligent of cats. She's lovely, sweet, and beautiful, but she's not very good at any of the things cats are supposed to do. She can't catch prey. Once she got lost in a bush. If she goes inside the couch at the wrong angle she can't work out how to get out again. When she was young, I actually asked the vet if there was something wrong with her, like was she partially sighted or had some co-ordination issue or something. He pronounced her a very healthy, very happy, very good natured cat and basically told me we can't all be a rocket scientist shrugs.

So your cat is an Aussie. Is your DH a Pom?

not every cat - my last cat was by my side always when I was home, waited at the window when I was due home from work (outdoor cat) & was genuinely very very affectionate but only with me. I still miss her every day

current cat is very much more the aloof independent type with a bit of a chip on his shoulder

Your DH needs to get over it. The cat doesn't give a hoot about what he did for him/her. Cat's don't understand the concept of gratitude! Gratitude, as humans define it, involves a reflective awareness of kindness received and an emotional response tied to that awareness. Cats don’t have this kind of abstract thinking.

oh, that is genius OP. I have 4 cats (I know, it was accidental)
2 mid level, one low level (the lockdown kitten) and one high level.

I am delighted hat I now have a way of describing them properly :)

Your husband is an idiot. What sort of weirdo thinks an animal-any animal-should show gratitude to him for providing care?? If he's not actually joking about this, personally I think his level of narcissism is a 🚩.
And I also think the cat has got him sussed.

Wow that is scary af. I think your cat has been watching Tom Hardy in MobLand.
He's gorgeous by the way (so is TH to be fair🤣)

Your husband is a daft man. Pets aren't here to "show gratitude". You would say this about a child maybe if you have instilled manners, kindness etc in them and don't show gratitude to someone who helped them. An animal we have is there because WE wanted them and love them for them. A cat isn't a companion that gets excited you're home like a dog or wants to play. My cat, male 13, is a very sweet boy and tolerates a cuddle a day and comes to sit on me in bed and purrs, but he isn't a very snuggly cat. He likes it on his terms like most cats and the older he gets he prefers to be left to sleep or sunbathe, watch birds etc. Your husband needs to let the cat be and just focus on the dogs. Cats have catitude and some breeds are more affectionate, but most prefer to choose THEIR person and the rest of us are tolerable to feed them. I love cats over dogs.

SIC (standard issue cat!), here's mine, Hugo

My DP has had a personality transplant with our latest additions. Poor torty cat was not at all keen on him and he kept saying it was up to her to “make an effort”. He didn’t miss her when she passed.

Since then, he spoils tabby cat, shares his tuna with her and calls her to give her ‘her share’ allegedly so she doesn’t appear and menace him. When we added kittens to the household he suddenly discovered he liked playing with them and is the favourite with our flighty nervous girl, DP is her protector. Especially from boy kitten who has a bad case of FOMO and is my friend.

I'm so missing the short lived laughing emoji on this thread! I'm picturing the cat sitting on the paper and batting the pen. The addition of litter was magnificent!

Litter for confetti 💚🤗😻😆💚
Bless You&Yours

Our 23 year old attack cat adores DS1/ DS1 has autism and adhd and ALOT of anxiety. Sometimes he literally shakes with anxiety. Attack cat (she likes to deploy her claws as first resort) sits on him when this happens and purrs and dribbles. Never fails to calm him down.

Cats can be complete arseholes. They just do what they want and see their humans as their unpaid slaves.

My cats look at me, thinking "What do you actually want from me? You know I'm not able or willing."

Little beauty. Love his name.