Cats Panic During Thunderstorms! Explaining Why They're Afraid and How to Cope

Thunder scares quite a lot of cats, causing them to panic.

If your cat is seen "shaking," "panicking," "fidgeting," or "hiding somewhere" during a thunderstorm, it is because they are afraid of the thunder.

In this article, we will introduce the reasons why cats are afraid of thunder and what you should do when they are scared.

Why cats are afraid of thunder

The loud noises and bright flashes of lightning are scary for humans, too. If it suddenly flashes brightly and a loud noise rings out, it is understandable that one would want to jump and run away.

Why are cats afraid of thunder?

The sound of thunder is scary

A cat's hearing is excellent—they are said to be able to hear the footsteps of a mouse walking underground. Since it sounds many times louder to them than to humans, they are bound to feel fear at the "boom!" of a lightning strike.

The "rumbling" sound of thunder is also terrifying to cats. It is thought that they sense something abnormal happening and become afraid.

Surprised by the lightning

Thunder is scary for its sound, but the sudden flash is also startling, isn't it? Even if they are fine at first, once they learn that "a loud noise follows the flash," they may start running away just from seeing the light.

They dislike low atmospheric pressure

Low atmospheric pressure occurs on days with thunder and rain. Cats are said to dislike low pressure; you might notice them sleeping through a rainy day or appearing less energetic than usual.

They also dislike high humidity. A cat's fur and whiskers tend to retain moisture, which seems to make them feel very uncomfortable.

Because the owner is afraid

Cats are sensitive to "unusual conditions." If their owner is startled by the thunder and screams or wanders around looking uneasy, that fear will be transmitted to the cat.

Behavior when a cat is afraid of thunder

If you see your cat "running away," "hiding," or "shaking" on a stormy day, it means they are feeling fear.

When under intense stress, to cope with it, they may engage in excessive grooming, scratch things, or become aggressive toward their owners or other cats in the home. Some may even vomit or have diarrhea...

A cat in a state of panic from thunder can act in unexpected ways.

Beware of them running away!

Cats instinctively try to get away from dangerous places. Since they do not understand that thunder is a natural phenomenon, they may jump out of the house to try and avoid the "attack."In their panic, they may break through screen doors or pry open windows to escape.

Aside from thunder, there are many cases of cats running away after being startled by earthquakes, firework noises, or starter pistol sounds at sports events.

Possibility of thunderstorm phobia

A cat's thunderstorm phobia refers to a condition where the cat exhibits an abnormally intense fear reaction to thunder.

They react excessively to the sound or light of thunder, changes in atmospheric pressure, or changes in humidity, causing them to panic. If you see the following symptoms on a stormy day, it might be thunderstorm phobia.

• Shaking
• Meowing or growling
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea/vomiting
• Hyperventilating
• Trying to run outside
• Becoming aggressive or destructive
• Shock symptoms

It seems that this phobia is often caused by past trauma. Therefore, some cats may exhibit symptoms of thunderstorm phobia due to the sound of heavy rain or flashes of light.

How to handle it when your cat is afraid of thunder

What should an owner do when it thunders?

First, it is important for the owner to stay calm. If the owner is afraid of the thunder, that fear will be transmitted to the cat.

Even when your cat is in a state of panic, the owner should try to speak to the cat gently and as usual.

There are other things you can do for a cat that is afraid of thunder, so please keep them in mind.

Create a safe place for your cat

Cats feel safe when they hide in a dark, narrow space. Create a hiding spot or shelter where they can escape when they are afraid of thunder.

Simply placing a blanket over their usual cage, carrier bag, or cat bed is fine. Closets or gaps between furniture are also okay, but it is a good idea to put cardboard boxes or similar items out in advance so they don't get stuck too far back.

Muffle the sound of the thunder

When a thunderstorm is forecasted, close the shutters and curtains, and try to move your cat to the center of the house if possible.

Holding your cat or snuggling up close to them is also effective in comforting them. However, if your cat is in an excited state, avoid touching them unnecessarily and just watch over them.

Distract them with treats or play

If you see your cat showing signs of being afraid of thunder, try distracting them with their favorite treats or playtime. For example, when you hear thunder, give them a snack so that they associate the sound of thunder with fun times, helping them get used to it little by little.

Overcome it over time

There is also a method of training by using YouTube or CDs to play thunder or firework sounds at a low volume. While comforting your cat by holding them, try increasing the volume little by little.

Prevent them from running away

Even a usually quiet cat may panic from thunder and run away. Besides locking doors and windows, make sure your cat usually wears a cat collar and ID tag for emergencies.

Cat collars can sometimes come off when they escape. Wearing a microchip is essential to prove that they are definitely your pet.

Cat collars, ID tags, and microchips are useful not only for running away during thunderstorms but also during natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Taking precautions to make it easier to reunite is important for "just in case" situations.

Summary

Some cats are not afraid of thunder. There are tough ones who take no notice of even the loudest noises and just nap away quite happily.

Whether a cat is afraid of thunder or not seems to depend largely on their personality and past trauma. Also, they may feel anxiety or fear by seeing their owner acting afraid of the thunder.

If the panic symptoms are very strong or you suspect thunderstorm phobia, consult a veterinarian. Depending on the cat's symptoms, drug therapy may be effective.

When your cat is afraid of thunder, the first thing is for the owner to remain calm. Then, prepare a place where your cat feels safe. Also, in case they do run away, it is important for them to wear a cat collar, ID tag, and microchip at all times.

Start doing what you can for your cat today!