Why is my cat staticy

Cuddling is one of the many benefits of having a cat. But, have this happened to you? You picked up your cat and start cuddling it and then-boom! There’s like an electric shock that both you and your cat felt when you cuddled. That is static electricity. Want to get rid of that? Then this article is right for you.

Índice Show

Having a Humidifier is the Solution
Why does the static electricity appear in your cat’s fur?
Does static electricity hurt cats?
How to reduce static electricity in your cat’s fur?
Use water for discharging static electricity
Just add water
Anti-static cat brush
Anti-static sprays for cats
Switch out the cat beds
Condition your cat’s coat
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line

Static electricity happens when there is friction between two objects which causes sparks. Scientifically, it means that the negative and positive charges in an object are not balanced. It can happen when there is low humidity in the air. Examples of the presence of static electricity in our daily lives include your hair standing out when you remove your cap or hat and touching a door that is made of metal. This low humidity gives your cat fur and you the static electricity when you touch each other since friction happens.

Static also happens when your loving cat rubs itself on things like the couch, the rug, etc. Because of the friction between the two bodies, which in this case is your cat and the couch, your cat’s fur becomes charged. One most strong evidence of the presence of this static electricity is when you and your cat both feel shocked upon touching or when you touch their fur. This shock isn’t dangerous for your cat but it is an unpleasant feeling for sure. I bet your cat will give you the killer look once they’ve experienced this zap when having pets.

The scenario in the example above often happens during the cold season or winter. Since the temperature is low and it is cold, a lot of us use indoor heating equipment to keep us warm. In this case, indoor heating makes the air inside the house lose its moisture.

Now that we know where the sparks or the static electricity is coming from, we can do something to make your cutie cat comfortable during these “electric” days. The basic solution to this problem is to bring back or add moisture – either on your surroundings or on your pet. Always remember that more dryness in the air means more static electricity presence.

One most used way to reduce or stop static electricity on cats is by using a humidifier. A humidifier adds or brings back moisture to the air, reducing the dryness in the air that is a perfect condition for static electricity to be present.

Having a Humidifier is the Solution

To know the amount or level of dryness in the air, you can use a hygrometer. A hygrometer can measure the presence or value of humidity in the air. It is inexpensive and you can buy a hygrometer in household stores. If the reading in the hygrometer is below 30%, then you have a dry air condition. With this data in hand, you can then turn on your humidifier to turn back the moisture in the air.

A humidifier usually uses water and then emits vapor coming from the water into the air. However, others use water with scented oil so that the humidifier will do two jobs – putting moisture back to the air and spreading a nice scent on your home. Having a humidifier doesn’t only help with the static electricity on your cat’s fur, it also has other benefits! One of these benefits is it also helps moisturize your cat’s skin during the cold season as your cat’s skin will tend to be more itchy and dry during this time. It can also help cats that have feline asthma and other respiratory diseases.

With all these positive things about using a humidifier in stopping static electricity on your cats, there is one lingering question in a lot of cat owners’ minds: are humidifiers safe for cats? This worry is understandable since cat owners only want the best for their fluffy babies. The answer is yes, humidifiers are safe for cats.

Cold mist humidifiers are the ones usually used by cat owners in their homes. A cold mist humidifier is a type of humidifier that uses a fan to evaporate the water and therefore produces and emits cool vapor into the room. However, a warm mist humidifier will also be perfect for you if you are living in a much colder region. One con of a warm mist humidifier tho is it can emit extra hot mist which can hurt the cat and can lead to scalding. Here’s our recommendation for the best humidifiers to prevent static electricity at home:

Table could not be displayed.

Conclusion

Now that you have known how to stop or reduce static electricity on cats, I hope you can buy a humidifier to make your cat more at ease and comfortable. May there’ll be no more or at least less zap for the both of you when you cuddle together.

READ ALSO: Best Cat Electric Blankets And Self Heating Pads

Do cats understand what static shock is, or does my cat think I have a mildly painful defensive ability that I sometimes use on him for no reason from NoStupidQuestions

이 브라우저는 더 이상 지원되지 않습니다. 업데이트하여 최적의 YouTube 환경과 최신 기능을 이용하세요. 자세히 알아보기

나중에 알림

You come home from work, kick off your shoes and sit down on the couch next to your sleeping feline friend. He looks up at you affectionately with love in his eyes and meows. You reach out to touch him and his once sleepy eyes pop open as a shock of static electricity jumps between the two of you, shocking you both. What an unpleasant experience for both of you! And now you are here, wondering how to get rid of static electricity in cats. Well, I think I can help. Please read on.

Why does the static electricity appear in your cat’s fur?

The primary reason behind this nasty electric shock is build up of static charge in a feline’s fur. Whenever your cat rubs against a carpet or certain other materials, their fur becomes charged.

Static electricity in cats can be fairly common in dry, winter weather. The situation may be exacerbated by having a heater warming the house which reduces moisture in the air. Another contributing factor is the density or length of your cat’s fur. The longer and thicker the fur, the greater the chances are of producing static electricity. Now, that doesn’t mean your long hair cat needs a shave.

Does static electricity hurt cats?

This is a common question for most cat owners. After receiving a shock, cats usually act quite surprised so naturally we think it must have hurt them. According to Floppy Cats, it is more of annoyance, than a painful experience. It may hurt a little, but not too seriously. Speaking from experience, it is more of a mood killer in your feline friend, which makes it a problem for you, a cat lover.

How to reduce static electricity in your cat’s fur?

The methods that can be used to reduce static electricity in cats can be divided into 2 categories.

Improve the environment.
Prevent the build-up of static charge on your cat’s fur.

If you can manage both, than the problem may be as good as gone. The following are some of the most effective solutions for dealing with static electricity in cats.

Use water for discharging static electricity

Lack of humidity is the biggest reason for the buildup of static electricity in cats. But there are ways to alleviate the situation.

Just add water

The simplest way to prevent electric shocks is to use water. After you have kicked off your shoes, run your hands under some water and then sit down to pet your feline friend. The addition of water on your hands will prevent either of you from being shocked.

Humidify

When humidity levels drops to 30% or lower, the chances of a static electric discharge are aggravated which is why this is more of a problem in winter when heaters are used. Heaters can make the environment extremely dry which is conducive for buildup of static electricity. So, how can you fix this problem and stay warm in the cold, dry winter months?

Answer: Add a humidifier in your home.

Humidifiers are great because they can help to maintain a suitable moisture level in the air of your home. Generally, they’re not very expensive. A small table-top humidifier can be sufficient for a medium-sized room while a larger area may require a large console humidifier. It is also a good idea to purchase a hygrometer to keep track of the humidity level so that you can set the humidifier accordingly.

Anti-static cat brush

Using an anti-static cat brush can be beneficial for protecting your pets against static charge buildup, but not all brushes are good. For instance, plastic brushes will increase static charge buildup in your cat’s fur rather than reduce it. Therefore, metal brushes are a much better choice.

Just make sure the bristles are not too hard. Hard bristles can be uncomfortable for your feline friend, leading them to dislike being brushed or combed. We want your cat to love being groomed, because in the summer, brushing your cat often is necessary to prevent hairballs from occurring to often. Regular brushing is also a great habit to practice because it stimulates the natural oils in your pet’s coat which aids in treating dryness.

Try a good ionic brush coated with anti-static material in the winter.
Try dampening the brush before brushing your cat with it.

Anti-static sprays for cats

Anti-static sprays can serve as a short-term solution for static electricity in cats. Although there are quite a few sprays available on the market, it isn’t a long term solution because the chemicals used in the sprays aren’t good for your cat’s skin. They’re also not good if your cat licks it off its fur

And let’s not forget that cats generally do not like being sprayed. Last but not least, long haired cats will require a proper brushing after being sprayed to avoid tangles and mats.

Switch out the cat beds

Always remember that synthetic fiber accumulates are prone to static charge accumulation. Therefore, if your cat is used to resting on a blanket made of synthetic fiber (like fleece), it would be a good idea to replace it with one made from natural fibers because it won’t be prone to static charge accumulation.

A blanket made of natural fiber (like wool) is a much better alternative because it won’t gather any charge.

Condition your cat’s coat

Another method to reduce static electricity in cats is to use a high-quality cat shampoo and conditioner. Shampoos containing natural oils are ideal for cat fur because they rejuvenate the lost moisture. Likewise, conditioners with Omega-3 supplements are often considered ideal for improving the health of your cat’s coat.

However, you must remember that too much bathing can also lead to dermatological issues. Therefore, you must set a balanced bathing routine for your cat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Should dryer sheets be used to reduce the static electricity in cats?

A. No! Do not expose your cat to dryer sheets. They contain cationic detergents that are quite toxic to cats.

Q. Can fabric softener be sprayed on cats to reduce static electricity?

A. Fabric softeners are good for keeping your sofas and carpets soft and free of static charge. However, it’s a bad idea to spray your cat with them because they contain chemicals that can cause allergies.

Q. Are hand moisturizers useful in dealing with static electricity in cats?

A. Yes, moisturizers are quite useful for preventing the accumulation of electric charge because they prevent dryness which is the main cause of static electricity to begin with.

Q. Can I use Omega-3 supplements to reduce static electricity in my cat?

A. Yes, you can. Omega-3 supplements improve the overall condition of your feline’s coat (by countering dryness) from the inside out.

Q. Are shampoos with keratin oil good for cat’s fur?

A. Yes, keratin shampoos are good for keeping a cat’s fur moist and smooth. However, excessive use of these shampoos can lead to hair damage among cats.

The Bottom Line

Static electricity can be very disturbing for your cat. Although they doesn’t cause much pain, frequent shocks can annoy them and spoil their mood. Therefore, to keep them happy in the cold, dry months try the above mentioned ideas. Your cat will love you even more for it.