Cats and dogs are unique individuals, so their responses to certain situations, including anger, will vary. It is important to note that attributing human emotions like anger to animals is a form of anthropomorphism. However, there are signs that indicate caution when approaching a cat or dog, especially if they are unfamiliar. In cats, these signs may include pinned-back ears, raised back fur, growling, hissing, or tail wagging. In dogs, it may involve pinned-back ears, growling, showing teeth, or snapping. These behaviors are typically indicators of fear, not necessarily anger, and serve as a warning to keep a distance. If you have an established trust and relationship with your pet, you should ideally not encounter these warning signs directed at you. If you do, it suggests that something is amiss and needs attention.

In my experience, some cats may ignore me for a few hours if I’ve upset them by preventing them from doing something or correcting their behavior. I’ve had a cat who would walk away and avoid being petted if she was upset with me, and she could hold onto that grudge for hours, but eventually, it would pass. On the other hand, I’ve never had a dog become angry with me. When I’ve had to correct my dog’s behavior, they have shown signs of embarrassment or shame. For instance, I had a Doberman that would position himself in a corner, facing the wall, when he did something wrong, even before I noticed it. Similarly, I had a Labrador Retriever who would lay down on the floor with her head lowered and avoid eye contact until I called her over and reassured her that everything was okay. These behaviors could be attributed to the pack mentality of dogs compared to the non-pack mentality of cats.