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A pleasant experience for a cat owner is cuddling their beloved pet, particularly when it’s cold outside. But you might suddenly experience static or a mild electric shock while stroking your cat’s fur or touching their nose!
This is the same thing that makes our hair frizzy or shocks us when touching a metal door handle. Something as simple as overbrushing can cause electrical charges to build up on their fur and result in a light shock. Keep reading as we dive deeper into this.
Here are six possible reasons that cats get so staticky and a few tips to help reduce the chances of an unpleasant shock.
The 6 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Is So Staticky
1. Dry Air
It’s not uncommon to have dry air in the house, especially in winter, and it’s believed to be one of the possible causes of increased static electricity. While it tends to happen more often in the cold months, it is likely to occur whenever there isn’t enough moisture in the air.
2. Dry Coat
If your cat’s skin is especially dry, they could easily build up static electricity while you’re stroking their fur. You can tell that your cat’s coat is dry if you see dandruff when brushing it. The drier the coat is, the more frequent the shocks may be. A dry coat and presence of dandruff may point to certain skin and overall health issues and is best checked over by a vet.
3. Synthetic Fibers
You’ll need to check the material of your cat’s bed, blanket, or any other item that they sleep on. Synthetic fibers are notorious for building up static electricity, especially polyester.
If static electricity is a persistent problem in your home, you’ll want to opt for natural materials for your cat’s lounging and sleeping needs.
4. Overbrushing or the Wrong Type of Brush
Every time you brush your cat, you will likely notice static electricity building up, due to the repeated strokes of the brush. Sometimes, it might be because you’re spending too much time brushing your cat, which is necessary for some cats, particularly if they are matted or long haired. Other times, the material of the brush can be a problem. For example, plastic is not the best choice if you’re trying to avoid static.
5. Cat’s Age
Senior cats may have dry coats that start to become more brittle as they age. This means it’s easier for static to build up, whether you’re brushing them or not. This can, however, also point to underlying health issues, so it is best checked out by your vet.
6. Personal Problem
It might not be your cat! If your cat’s coat and skin are well-moisturized, and everything else seems okay, it might be you with the staticky problem!
It could also be both of you, but if you touch your cat and experience a shock, it might be from your own electric charges building up.
The 6 Tips to Reduce Static Electricity
If the static electricity seems out of control in your home, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce those unpleasant shocks.
1. Humidifier
Since static tends to be a much bigger issue in the winter, invest in a good humidifier that will keep your house at a higher humidity level. You’ll need to purchase one for each room that you and your cat spend the most time in. Bathrooms won’t need one, though.
You could also consider picking up a hygrometer, which will help you track your home’s humidity levels.
2. Bathing
Most cats don’t need baths, as they technically bathe themselves. But if you must bathe your cat for a medical reason as recommended by your vet, ensure that you only use a moisturizing or medicated shampoo for cats. Other kinds of shampoo will dry out and irritate your cat’s skin.
Cats should only be given a bath if there is a medical skin issue and bathing has been recommended by your vet, as even with the most conditioning shampoo, their skin will be stripped of natural oils if they are washed too often.
You can also try a conditioning cat-friendly spray, which can be lightly sprayed and brushed into your cat’s coat. This will add extra moisturizing elements.
3. Supplements
You can consider supplements or purchase treats and/or food that are designed to help moisturize your cat’s coat. Specifically, look for omega-3 fatty acids that may have benefits for skin and overall health.
However, before starting your cat on any supplements, it’s important to speak to your vet for suggestions and if you plan on changing your cat’s food.
4. Natural Materials
If you’ve discovered that some of your cat’s bedding is made with synthetic fiber, opt for natural fibers like cotton. These are also more sustainable options.
5. New Brush
If you’ve been using a plastic comb or brush on your cat, you’ll want to switch to metal, as plastic will increase static electricity. Even better is an ionic brush, but that might be hard to find.
You can also spray water on the brush before brushing your cat, which will help reduce the static.
6. Moisturization
Before petting your cat, use a bit of simple hand lotion (aim for something without any scent), so your hands won’t be as dry and cause shocks. Don’t let your cat lick your hands, and let the lotion dry before you pet them, as some of these products may be irritating or harmful if ingested.
You can also dampen your hands with water before touching your cat, but that might end up drying out your hands, and your cat might not appreciate you making them wet.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Be careful with any product that you put on your cat’s coat. Remember that cats are meticulous groomers, which means they will ingest anything that goes on their fur.
Don’t use dryer sheets to wipe your cat. While they can work for our staticky hair, they contain cationic detergents, which are toxic to cats because they are corrosive.
Signs include:
- Burns in the mouth
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
It’s essential to keep dryer sheets and other kinds of detergents away from your cat. iIf you still have additional questions about static on your cat, you could consult a vet to determine if there is an underlying cause for concern.
Conclusion
Static electricity may be increased due to a lack of moisture and humidity. Adding humidifiers to your house and ensuring that your cat is eating a healthy diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, as well as consulting with your vet, will go a long way in reducing static. Never put anything on your cat’s fur that isn’t safe or made for cats.
Now you know what causes those nasty shocks between you and your cat. That means you can fix it—or at least make it less shocking!
Featured Image Credit: Lana Leon, Shutterstock
