Do you know that feeling? You walk past your cat, your eyes meet... and you get a cold, nasty look that makes you question your entire existence for a moment. Did you forget to feed him? Does your cat hate you?  Or are all cats just like that?

You're certainly not the only one wondering about it. In this blog, we dive into the mysterious phenomenon of the 'cold cat stare.' What does it actually mean? And more importantly: how do you know if your cat likes you or not?

Cats are masters of subtle signals

A dog wags its tail, jumps up at you, and drools with joy. Cats? They stare, blink slowly, or look at you as if you’ve just stolen their biscuits.

  • For cats, body language is the way to communicate
  • A ‘cold’ look can also mean that your cat is relaxed, or simply observing you
  • Sometimes cats stare because they are curious or if they feel unsafe in their environment

➡️An example: Has your cat just eaten and is staring at you from the windowsill? Then he is most likely just lazily observing.

Fun fact: did you know cats only meow for us?

They don’t meow at each other.

When is a stare a reason to worry?

Sometimes, a look can mean something else:

  • Flattened ears, dilated pupils, stiff posture? That could be tension or irritation.
  • If your cat crouches with eyes fixed, he’s likely in hunting mode.
  • Avoiding eye contact can even be a sign of respect.

💡Tip: If your cat avoids you, hides, or reacts aggressively, go back to basics: give them space, observe their behaviour, and reward calm interactions.

Your cat (probably) doesn’t hate you

It may feel like your cat is ignoring you or even mocking you. The truth? Cats are simply more independent, and they show affection in subtler ways than dogs.

  • Head bumps are actually a big compliment.
  • Purring is usually positive (relaxation), though it can sometimes happen when they’re stressed.
  • If your cat sleeps on your bed or near you, it’s a strong sign of trust.

A cat can’t hate you forever. What they need is respect for their boundaries, patience, positive associations. And sometimes just a little treat.

“Hate” is far too strong a word

A chilly look from your cat? That really doesn't have to mean that your cat hates you. Always try to pay attention to its body language, give space, and learn how your cat communicates with you. The more you understand your cat, the better your bond will become.

Do you ever feel like your cat “hates” you?

Tell us in the comments, we’d love to hear!

1 reaction

Mijn kat die Happy noemt heeft de foute naam gekregen hij is grumpy. Hij komt naast mij zitten op de rug van de zetel zodat in mijn nek en blijft staren of hij me hypnotiseert.

De andere kater Poopoo die expres net voor de pot zijn behoefte doet, kan me met verliefde ogen aanstaren dan denk ik ja dat is voor al die 💩 die ik mag opkuisen.😂

Cathy

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