do cats get embarrassed

Cats do not feel embarrassment in the same way humans do because embarrassment is a complex social emotion requiring self-awareness and an understanding of how others perceive us. Cats have primary emotions like fear and joy, but there is no scientific evidence that they possess the cognitive ability for embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which depend on understanding social norms and moral judgment. What looks like embarrassment in cats—such as hiding, avoiding eye contact, or quickly leaving after a mistake—is more likely a reaction to stress, fear, or confusion, or they may be responding to the body language and reactions of their owners rather than feeling embarrassed themselves. Cats are more focused on survival instincts and do not operate with the social consciousness humans do. When cats fall or fail a jump, they might lick themselves or act "cool" afterward, which some interpret as coping behaviors rather than embarrassment. Overall, while cats display some behaviors that humans interpret as embarrassment, these behaviors are more about managing anxiety, avoiding threats, or reacting to their environment, rather than feeling embarrassment as humans understand it.