Why Do Cats Seem to Obey After Being Hit? Do They Succumb to Violence?

It's a common observation that cats might appear to become more obedient after being hit. This isn't because they genuinely 'learn a lesson' through violence in a way that fosters a healthy understanding. Instead, their compliance stems from fear and an instinctive desire to avoid further negative experiences. They learn to associate certain actions with your negative reaction, and their seemingly 'good' behavior is often rooted in avoidance.

Understanding Cat Psychology

Cats are intelligent creatures, constantly observing and learning from their interactions with their environment and their owners. When a cat does something that triggers a negative response, such as being hit, it registers the owner's reaction. This isn't necessarily a cognitive understanding of right or wrong but rather a learned association between the action and the unpleasant consequence. They begin to associate the particular behavior with a painful or frightening response, and they’ll try to avoid it to prevent more negative interactions. This is a key reason why a cat might seem to "behave" after being struck.

The Role of Instinct

A cat’s inherent instincts also play a significant role in this perceived obedience. Cats, by nature, tend to avoid direct confrontation because they're not pack animals and they are more focused on self preservation. When a cat experiences physical harm, their instinct for self-preservation kicks in. The perceived risk from attacking becomes too high, making submission seem like the safer option for survival. This doesn’t mean they understand their "misbehavior" but rather that they recognize a threat. This survival instinct is a very important factor contributing to their changed behavior.

The Impact of Emotion

Cats are highly sensitive and attuned to their environment and their owner’s emotions. They can easily perceive anger and distress. Physical aggression from their owner will cause them to experience intense fear and discomfort, leading to avoidance behaviors. The fear and anxiety associated with the hitting cause a change in their behavior as they are trying to avoid further negative experiences and the associated pain. They don't become 'good'; they become fearful and potentially more withdrawn from the human who has harmed them. This also impacts the cat's trust in their owner.

Do Cats Succumb to Violence?

It’s crucial to emphasize that cats do not truly 'succumb' to violence in a way that produces positive behavior. Violence only induces fear and anxiety. Physical discipline will only scare cats, causing them to hide and potentially lose trust in you. It is also very possible that violence could cause a cat to become more aggressive in the long term. If the owner tries to interact affectionately with the cat immediately after inflicting violence, the cat may lash out in self-defense. Positive reinforcement is always the better and more effective method for training cats. There are gentler and more effective ways to train cats that foster trust and respect, not fear.Source:5D Pet World