Some cats absolutely understand rules they just don’t give a shit. Some of them also understand the concept of getting caught they just don’t expect or understand consequences. At most they will try to hide what they are doing (like hiding in the sink when being on the kitchen counter is illegal for cats in my household) but they will show no remorse. Smartest cat I ever had just waited until I wasn’t home to do all the shit that wasn’t allowed.
Some cats absolutely understand rules they just don’t give a shit. Some of them also understand the concept of getting caught they just don’t expect or understand consequences. At most they will try to hide what they are doing (like hiding in the sink when being on the kitchen counter is illegal for cats in my household) but they will show no remorse. Smartest cat I ever had just waited until I wasn’t home to do all the shit that wasn’t allowed.