Cats Panic During Earthquakes! Immediate and Daily Preparations

It is not only humans who are startled by the emergency earthquake alert or heavy shaking. Cats can also be terrified of earthquakes and fall into a state of panic.

It is a perfectly natural instinct for cats to fear earthquakes. However, depending on how the owner reacts when one occurs, they can either help soothe their cat's panic or make it worse.

In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on why cats fear earthquakes, the proper way to handle them if they panic, the physical changes to look out for after an earthquake, and the disaster-prevention measures you can take on a daily basis.

Why are cats afraid of earthquakes?

To a cat, a natural disaster is a dangerous event that poses a threat to their life and well-being. "Earthquakes," in particular, involve not just ground shaking, but also loud rumbles and the creaking of the house.

Cats are creatures with such acute senses that they are often said to have anability to predict earthquakes. Because they can quickly detect anomalies humans cannot, such as slight changes in air pressure, magnetic fields, or infrasound, they may act "differently than usual" before or after an earthquake.

Restless and unable to settle down
Meowing incessantly as if to complain about something
Suddenly running around the house
Wanting to go outside
Puffing up the fur on their back
Hiding somewhere and refusing to come out

These behaviors are thecat's defensive responseto fear and anxiety.

Just because you see unusual behavior doesn't necessarily mean it is a sign of an earthquake, but it could be a sign of illness; if it persists, it is best to consult a veterinarian for peace of mind.

Signs that a cat is panicking

Cats have an instinct to try to escape from a situation they perceive as "scary."

Running away outside due to being panicked by an earthquake is an instinctual behavior. Unfortunately, there are many cases where they become lost or injured as a result.

If you see the following signs, your cat is likely having a panic attack.

Pupils are wide dilated
Flattened ears and low posture
Curled into a small ball and trembling
Meowing violently, or suddenly stopping and freezing
Becoming aggressive, scratching or biting if touched
Restlessly running around the house

What to do when your cat is afraid of an earthquake

Aftershocks often continue after a major earthquake. To protect your beloved cat's life, the first step is for the owner to stay calm.

1. Prevent escape during an earthquake

You need to be vigilant about your catescapingduring an earthquake. When one strikes, ensure your own safety first, and then make preventing an escape your top priority.

Close windows and doors other than the escape route
Put the cat in a cage
Put the cat in a carrier bag
Pick them up and move to a safe place
Wrap them in a towel or similar

2. Do not force a hiding cat out

Even if your cat is hiding in the shadows and won't come out, it is a big no-no to force them out. This can actually intensify their fear and worsen their panic.

Once you have confirmed that the area where the cat is hiding is safe (i.e., no furniture will fall, escape routes are blocked), close the doors and windows, and watch over them so they can calm down at their own pace.

3. Keep yourself calm

A method of "shaking the cat" to calm them down when they are scared of earthquakes once became a hot topic on X (formerly Twitter). The idea is that if you pick your cat up and sway them gently, they will assume the shaking was caused by the owner and feel reassured.

However, since some cats prefer to be left alone, this is not necessarily an effective method for everyone. On the contrary,in some cases, the owner's actions can amplify the cat's anxiety, so caution is required.

Owner panicking, shouting, or running around
Keeping a tense, on-edge atmosphere long after the earthquake
Trying to force a cat out of its hiding spot
Trying to force a panicking cat to be caught

Cats are highly sensitive to their owner's facial expressions, tone of voice, and changes in the room's atmosphere. Sometimes they get even more scared by reacting to the fact that "the owner is acting strange" rather than the earthquake itself.

The important thing is for you to remain calm.

Be aware of your cat's state after an earthquake

When cats feel scared, they have a habit of hiding until they can judge that the situation is definitely safe and secure. It is common for them to hide in shadows or stop eating.

However,they should start to settle down within 1–2 days. Try leaving their usual food in their usual spot and keep a quiet eye on them.

If you are worried about dehydration, it's a good idea to top off their food with wet food or offer wet treats.

Remember to let things happen at your cat's own pace. Gently calling their name, stroking them, or just interacting with them as you usually would is also important.

Be careful if these symptoms persist

The terror caused by an earthquake can be a source of major stress for a cat. If the following behaviors continue for more than 2 or 3 days, please consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Becoming aggressive toward the owner
Staying glued to the owner constantly
Howling at night
Loss of appetite
Vomiting or diarrhea

Disaster preparedness is the owner's responsibility

When an earthquake happens, there may be times when you cannot immediately protect your cat. It is crucial to be prepared on a daily basis to prevent injury or escape.

Secure furniture to prevent tipping

During earthquakes, furniture can tip over or dishes can fall. To keep your cat from panicking due to loud noises, make sure to secure your furniture.

Be particularly careful with tall cat trees. Consider using tension-rod style fixtures to secure them firmly, as they could topple, shatter glass windows, or block your escape route.

Get them used to cages and carriers

If you make a cage or hard-sided carrier a regular part of your cat's environment, it can serve as anemergency shelterwhere they can flee in times of need. This also prevents the situation where you don't know where they have hidden. Place them in a safe spot where furniture won't fall on them.

Prepare for evacuation life with a cat

If you cannot stay in your home, you will need to go to an evacuation center. Evacuating with your cat is a"joint evacuation" (evacuating together) as a principle.

Whether or not you can spend time in the same room as your cat varies by facility. Please be sure to confirm the pet policy at your nearest evacuation center in advance.

Additionally,evacuation centers do not provide cages or cat food. Keep a few days' worth of food and water, cat litter, and a portable litter box packed and ready to go in case of an emergency.

Getting your cat used to wearing a harness is also a great disaster-prevention measure.

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Ongoing measures to prevent your cat from getting lost

There are many cases where a cat, frightened by an earthquake, ends up escaping. It is also possible that you could unexpectedly be separated from your cat due to broken windows or doors, or even building collapse.

Prepare for the "what ifs" by ensuring your cat wears acat collarat all times. It is even safer to add an ID tag or a microchip.

A cat collar serves as an identifier and can be a vital clue for a search.Taking daily measures to prevent your cat from getting lost is the responsibility of the owner.

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Summary

"My cat ran out because they were scared of the earthquake." Every time an earthquake occurs, I see posts on Twitter about cats escaping.

Cats sense anomalies more sensitively than their owners and will try to flee the area. Because a cat's fear of earthquakes is an "instinct,"escape-prevention measures are essential.

If an earthquake occurs, the owner must act calmly, with the top priorities being escape prevention and securing the cat's safety. Most importantly,it is vital to have escape and earthquake preparations in place daily, such as having your cat wear a collar, ID tag, or microchip.

For a cat, an earthquake is an abnormal situation where they feel their life is in danger. Many cats fall into a panic state out of fear.

Earthquakes can happen at any time. Review your disaster preparations to make sure you can protect your cat's life when the time comes.