Why does my cat hate other cats but not dogs?

What is thunderstorm phobia in cats?

Thunderstorm Phobias in Cats. The persistent and exaggerated fear of storms, or the stimuli associated with storms, is referred to as thunderstorm phobia. To treat this condition, your veterinarian should have some grasp of pathophysiology, as this phobia involves physiologic, emotional, and behavioral components.

How do cats react to thunderstorms?

A cat’s first instinct during a thunderstorm is to hide. Your cat may dash under a piece of furniture or try to hide in of your kitchen cabinets. This hiding behavior, known as avoidance, usually works quite well for cats when they are afraid of a thunderstorm. When the storm ends, your cat will emerge from its hiding place.

Why do cats get nervous during thunderstorms?

Some scientists hypothesize that the change in air pressure as weather changes, plus a cat’s very acute hearing, make them aware of thunderstorms before we know they’re coming. This knowledge can lead to nervousness.

Can cats predict the weather and sense impending storms?

They truly believed that cats could predict the weather and sense impending storms. Whereas ancient sailors believed cats stored magical supernatural powers, some scientific research (although not conclusive) believe that cats may actually sense changes in air pressure before a looming storm.

What is a phobia of thunderstorms?

A phobia of thunderstorms, sometimes called astraphobia, is an irrational and extreme fear response to the presence of a storm. This phobia can be seen in some cats.

How do you treat thunderstorm phobia in dogs?

To treat this condition, your veterinarian should have some grasp of pathophysiology, as this phobia involves physiologic, emotional, and behavioral components. Thunderstorm phobia occurs in both dogs and cats, but dogs are often more susceptible to this type of fear.

Why are dogs afraid of thunderstorms?

This aversive event confirms and magnifies their suspicions of the malevolence and danger implicit in storms. Some confirmation of this is provided by the fact that large thick-coated dogs are most commonly affected by severe thunderstorm phobia. Cats and small dogs may be somewhat immune to such static shocks.

What do you do if your cat is scared of thunderstorms?

If thunderstorm noises make your cat anxious, turn on some background noise, such as the television or radio, that will serve as a distraction from the storm. If you turn on the radio, pick a station playing soothing music (smooth jazz or classical) or a talk radio station.

Do cats get nervous during storms?

Many cats, quite sensibly, tend to become nervous during storms and may remove themselves from the fray by hiding under a bed or in a cupboard. This self-preservation response qualifies as a fear. Unlike dogs, however, cats tend not to advance to the phobic stage, perhaps because their strategy of avoidance works.

How to treat thunderstorm anxiety in cats?

Providing a safe hiding place is probably one of the best treatment strategies for thunderstorm anxiety in cats. Ideal hiding places are dark and quiet, such as a basement, closet, or bathroom. Put your cat’s ‘creature comforts’ (e.g., food and water bowls, favorite toys, blanket) in the area to make it more comfortable. [1]

Are cats and dogs affected by thunderstorms?

Some confirmation of this is provided by the fact that large thick-coated dogs are most commonly affected by severe thunderstorm phobia. Cats and small dogs may be somewhat immune to such static shocks. Cats usually prefer to hide rather than pace, so trouble is minimized.

Can cats predict the weather?

Some of the traditional beliefs about cats and the weather include: If a cat grooms her coat against the grain, bad weather is on the way. Although, there is no firm scientific proof that cats can predict the weather, it certainly doesn’t mean that they can’t sense weather changes.

How can I get my Cat to listen to a thunderstorm?

A television news station could help your cat tune out the thunderstorm noise. Do not crank up the volume of the white noise. Doing so could increase your cat’s stress and anxiety. Play the white noise before the storm comes so your cat can get comfortable with it.

How do you calm a cat during a storm?

Play with your cat. On the day of a storm, schedule some additional play time with your cat. The extra exercise will make your cat physically and mentally tired, which will help it remain more calm when the storm comes. Have your cat chase a laser light across the floor and play jumping games.

Do cats get scared of thunderstorms?

Many cats, however, do become anxious during storms, and they typically show their fear by hiding in closets or under furniture until the storm passes. Thunderstorm phobia is far less common in cats than in dogs, says Petplace, but it does occasionally happen.

Why do pets get anxious during thunderstorms?

Thunder and hail aren’t the only reasons some pets become anxious during storms, however. The barometric pressure and buildup of static electricity in the air are also uncomfortable for many pets, says the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Do cats like to sleep under beds during storms?

“Igloo style” cat beds can be a great option. If you keep these types of beds in areas where you and your cats spend a lot of time, they may use them to hide from the storm rather than cowering under the bed. Remedies such as Storm Soother or Rescue Remedy, given before a storm moves in, can help keep kitties calm.

How do cats act when there is a thunderstorm?

Your cat may dash under a piece of furniture or try to hide in of your kitchen cabinets. This hiding behavior, known as avoidance, usually works quite well for cats when they are afraid of a thunderstorm. When the storm ends, your cat will emerge from its hiding place.

What to do if your cat is scared of thunderstorms?

For severe cases of thunderstorm anxiety, a visit to your veterinarian is in order. Your veterinarian can prescribe anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication to help keep your cat calm during storms. Are your cats afraid of thunderstorms?

How did my cat become storm phobic?

One cat became storm phobic because she received an electric jolt from a nearby telephone jack (the result of a secondary lightning strike) while on a countertop. During future storms, the cat hunkered down, hair coat raised, tail bushy and hissed and spit.

Can dogs be afraid of thunderstorms?

Along with the thunder and rain created by these storms, people with the phobia are fearful of lightening as well. Unlike other phobias, a fear of thunderstorms is a phobia that both humans, as well as other animals can develop. Specifically, this phobia has been seen in dogs and cats.

Do animals have phobia of Thunder?

But when an animal gets completely distraught at the first roll of thunder and harms himself to avoid the perceived mortal threat, then we are talking about phobia. Cattle that become spooked and stampede off a cliff or dogs that hurl themselves from third story windows during a storm make the case.