Do Cats Get Embarrassed?

We’ve all seen it: your cat misjudges a leap, crashes ungracefully off the counter, lands in a heap, and then immediately stalks off like they meant to do that. It’s tempting to imagine they’re mortified. Maybe even ashamed. But are cats actually capable of feeling embarrassment the way humans do?

Let’s dig into what embarrassment really is and whether your cat is secretly cringing inside.

Content:

1. Do Cats Feel Embarrassment, Shame, or Guilt
2. Behaviors of an "Embarrassed" Cat
3. How to React to a Cat's "Embarrassment"
4. Conclusion

Do Cats Feel Embarrassment, Shame, or Guilt

To feel embarrassed, a cat would need to understand human social constructs. This means ideas like right vs. wrong, looking foolish, or being judged by others. These are deeply human experiences, linked to our social evolution. We care what others think of us. Cats? Not so much.

"Cats feel a range of primary emotions such as fear, anger, joy, but complex social emotions like guilt or shame require a sense of how others view us," explains Dr. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, an animal behaviorist. "There’s no evidence cats have this self-consciousness."

Humans evolved to be highly social and cooperative, so when we violate a norm, like tripping in public or saying something awkward, we imagine others judging us. That’s what causes embarrassment: how we imagine others saw us in that moment.

But cats don’t operate that way. They’re semi-solitary, territorial carnivores. Clawing the curtains, knocking your glass over, pouncing on your feet in the dark, or even torturing a small animal, none of these actions violates their moral compass. To them, it’s all part of their normal instincts and urges. And they certainly don’t worry if another cat or a human saw them do it.

If they do anything resembling guilt, like hiding after breaking something, it’s probably a learned response. Which means they are either reacting to the noise of something breaking or reacting to your behavior (if you get angry), not their own moral code.

Remember, if you're curious what your cat gets up to while you're away (embarrassed or not), the Petcube Cam 360 can give you a front-row seat to their antics—whether it’s knocking over a vase, chasing a shadow, or simply lounging in the sun. You’ll see firsthand that what might look like “guilt” is often just curiosity, playfulness, or a perfectly normal feline response to their environment.

Behaviors of an "Embarrassed" Cat

However, cats often look can look like they are embarrassed to use. Like when this reddit user writes:

“I once watched my cat successfully stalk up on a bird, pounce, and grab the poor thing in his mouth. He shook the bird around and boy did he look proud. Then he put his meal on the grass, ready to eat, when the bird jumped up and flew away. Do cats feel embarrassment? Not sure. I do know that my cat sulked back toward the house looking embarrassed, though.”

So why does it seem like cats are embarrassed in situations like this? The truth is that as humans, we often project our emotions onto animals. Since our pets are part of our family, we tend to imagine how we would feel in that situation and assume they feel the same way. We also anthropomorphize, which means we assume animals think and feel the way humans do.

This doesn’t mean your cat doesn’t have feelings and emotions. They have plenty. However, that doesn’t mean they see everything the same way we do, or have the same reactions, even if it can sometimes appear that way.

So what are people actually seeing when they say, "My cat looked so embarrassed!"

Here are a few possibilities:

• Startle/ Flee Response

In a situation where a cat falls or slips and immediately bolts out of the room, it most likely got a fright and reacted. Cats have extremely fast reflexes with plenty of fast-twitch muscle groups, so if something sudden or unexpected happens, they’re wired to skedaddle at top speeds.

• Freezing or Avoidance

If you’ve scolded your cat in the past for a certain behavior, it may act wary afterward.

• Confusion & Displacement Behaviors

If a cat runs into a screen door, they may pause and look around. They may even make eye contact with you. This doesn’t mean they’re embarrassed and looking to see who saw that, it simply means they don’t immediately understand what happened or they’re still processing. If they’re very uncertain, they may show a “displacement behavior” such as sitting down and grooming themselves.

Displacement behaviors are behaviors that happen when an animal isn’t sure how to act. It’s a kind of coping mechanism for releasing tension or emotional energy.

• The “I Meant To Do That” Walk

Cats sometimes puff up or strut after a misstep. It’s likely just a self-righting behavior. It means they’re just recalibrating after an unexpected moment.

Whether or not your cat feels embarrassed, always make sure you keep them hydrated (and fancy) with the Petcube Fountain.

How to React to a Cat's "Embarrassment"

Don’t laugh, at least, not too loud. Cats don’t feel embarrassed, but they can get spooked if your reaction is too big.

Instead, let them recover with dignity. Don’t fuss or chase them after a fall, and don’t scold them for doing something wrong. Rather, redirect behavior gently. If you don’t want them on the counter, provide climbing alternatives, such as cat trees.

Conclusion

No evidence suggests that cats feel embarrassed, but they sometimes exhibit behavior that resembles it, and that’s what keeps the internet alive. The truth is, your cat isn’t worried about how it looked when it fell off the table. It’s worried about what’s under the couch and when dinner’s happening.