21 Relatable Memes of Cats Majoring in Selective Hearing and Ignoring Their Pawrents

Cats ignoring their hoomans is not accidental. It's a refined skill.

You can say their name five times in a row and get nothing in return. No glance. No ear twitch. Not a single acknowledgment that sound even happened. But the moment a bag rustles or a bowl clinks in the kitchen, suddenly they're wide awake and extremely present. Cats hear everything. They just prioritize.

They'll sit right next to you and still ignore you. Close enough to feel involved, far enough to avoid responsibility. You reach out to pet them and they act like you suggested something unreasonable. A slow turn away. A sudden interest in grooming. Conversation over.

Ignoring hoomans is also strategic. Ask for attention and they vanish. Decide you're busy and no longer care? Now they're back, sitting on your keyboard or blocking your view like they've been there all along. The timing is never random.

Food, however, changes everything. Offer snacks and suddenly you exist again. Eye contact is made. Bodies move with purpose. Affection appears out of nowhere. It's amazing how fast indifference turns into enthusiasm when treats are involved.

Still, every so often, they surprise you. A quiet sit nearby. A gentle head bump. A slow blink that feels intentional. Those moments hit harder because they're rare. Cats may ignore their hoomans most of the time, but when they choose to engage, it feels special. And honestly, that's part of the charm.

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via @i_like_BEANZ
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via @Poorly Made Cat Memes
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via @catsinplaymode
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via @Meowingtons
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Cats have very selective hearing. They’ll ignore entire conversations, but tune in instantly when something catches their interest. It’s not about volume or effort, it’s about priority. If they respond, it’s because they chose to. Everything else gets quietly filtered out. Honestly, it’s impressive how intentional they are about what deserves their attention.
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via @Mika and Mocha
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via @Paws Claws And Whiskertails
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via @cat.named.pepper
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via @WarrenJManiak
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via @powellt
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via @purrfectinfluencer
Getting fed up with your cat for not listening is the fastest way to make them listen even less. The more serious you sound, the more committed they become to ignoring you completely. Cats sense frustration and treat it like background noise. At that point, the only thing happening is them proving they were never going to respond in the first place.
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via @NerdSpiral46
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via @fromferaltofluffy
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via @DebRogers
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via @SardineYoghurt
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via @Lanes Vets
Cats take ignoring you very seriously. It’s not accidental or casual, it’s a deliberate choice made with confidence. They’ll sit nearby, fully aware of your presence, and still refuse to acknowledge you. It’s a skill they’ve perfected over time, and they commit to it completely. Honestly, the focus it takes to ignore someone that well is almost impressive.
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via @New Zealand Pet Lovers