it has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Whenever i try to pet my cat(especially near the head or its mouth) their is a little elcetric shock(kind of like the one when you touch the metal door handle after dragging your feet across a rug). obviously it bothers my cats and i was wondering how to prevent it. the VERY strange thing is that even when i get up in the mornings and my cat is right there on my bed, i go to pet her, and i shock her! if you could help me with this, that would be great.
p.s. please no retarded answers because, in essence, you are just wasting your own time and acting like a total looney.
p.p.s. this never happens between me and my dog.
2007-02-04 02:57:26 · 17 answers · asked by ghettofabulous :) 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
i DO have a humidifier in my house and it still happens. but i see what ya'll mean about the whole static electricity thing. i really appreciate it!
2007-02-04 07:30:18 · update #1
Cats, for one, have more hairs than dogs, so they collect static electricity more, I suggest when you pet them, do it first on their back, because that wont be as sensitive as their heads. Also you could take a towl and wipe off their body, transfuring the static to the towl, then you pet them. The cause is because you probably have a lot of soft, or new carpet in your home causing static to build up in it, so when your cats lay on it it transfurs to them and then you touch them and ZING you got them electrified
2007-02-04 03:03:35 · answer #1 · answered by cyanosis 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rub your hands well with a dryer sheet. Then give the cat a rub down. This will deactivate the ions that are causing the static shocks. I bet your rug has some positive ions and the cats are rolling around on it creating the static. Its a more noticable in the winter time because the air is so dry. Notice you never get a static shock in the bathroom after you get out of the shower.
I also think some cats have it worse. My white long haired one is worse vs. my black and white short haired one.
2007-02-04 03:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by wildflow30@verizon.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking from experience. The air in your home is to dry. Try getting a humidifier and that should help with the problem. Also get some cat food that has fish oil in it this helps keep your cats fur from being to dry. Only feeding your cat dry food causes this problem.
If you want something to put in the cats fur that will not hurt it try try rubbin a few DROPS of olive or cod liver oil in the palm of your hand and then give the cat a good rub down. This will help with dry skin and fur but has to be done every day.
2007-02-04 05:04:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's static electricity. This can be from static in the air, also from rubber soled shoes on carpet. Your cat may pick up more of it than your dog for some reason. Try rubbing the cat with a used dryer sheet - don't put too much stuff on him because he licks himself so much he'll ingest any chemicals on his fur. It will go away when the weather changes and there is less static.
2007-02-04 03:19:49 · answer #4 · answered by heart o' gold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just one of those "Electrifying Women"! lol
Yes static electricity can be bad, especially in winter. You may try discharging on a door knob or something metal before you pet your cat. Also, it may be the cat! Try touching it to something metal. Those anti-static cloths for the drier another approach, wipe the cats fur with one to help cut down the static electricity. Use the cheap brand that have a decent smell. This all I really know to try.
2007-02-04 03:09:56 · answer #5 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The air in your house is too dry, try a humidifier to fix the problem. I would stay away from dryer sheets etc because many cats do not like scented things.
2007-02-04 03:24:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everybody's answers are right on about the static electricity. If it's dry in your house, that's what's happening. I try to touch them on their back first (not the nose) or touch my hand to something else first.
I would highly recommend NOT using the dryer sheets, especially if you rub it on them. They will lick their fur to get it off themselves and wind up sick from the fabric softener that's in them and you'll have a worse problem. As a matter of fact, my dryer sheets say to keep away from children and pets.
2007-02-04 03:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by stellargoddess01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before petting a cat, "neutralize" yourself by touching something like a door - preferably with your whole hand so you don't shock yourself. Or, try touching your cat with your whole palm, as this may spread out the exchange of electrons and thus avoid a spark.
2007-02-04 03:07:52 · answer #8 · answered by Killertiel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kitkat is right. There is not enough humidity. This is common during the winter months. Get a humidifier. It will be healthier for you and get rid of the shock when you pet your cats.
2007-02-04 05:20:19 · answer #9 · answered by theoriginalquestmaker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same thing is happening with your cat as with your door. The air gets dry (so does your cat). If you had touched something other than your cat, the same thing would have probably happened. I have the same problem with my cat. I try to keep my hands moist from hand lotion. "This seems to help."
2007-02-04 03:09:22 · answer #10 · answered by williesimple 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋