Can a Cat Predict the Weather? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ
Throughout history, there have been various strange beliefs about cats, including the idea that cats can predict the weather. Many ancient cultures had superstitions about cats and the weather, which is why this belief still lingers today. But is it true? Can cats predict the weather?
While cats cannot literally predict the weather, they are highly sensitive creatures and can detect environmental changes that often accompany it. For example, cats may notice shifts in air pressure, changes in humidity, or other subtle signs that a storm is approaching.
Keep reading to find out how cats can sense weather changes and how to be in tune with your feline to determine if bad weather is coming your way.
Cats and Predicting the Weather
For centuries, people have represented cats as animals with extreme sensitivity to weather changes. Many cultures had superstitions about cats and their behaviors, so when a cat was engaging in a particular behavior, people connected that with a weather change.
Here are some of the most popular superstitions in history connected with cats predicting the weather:
In the past, many believed that cats had superpowers that allowed them to predict the weather. Even sailors who needed to spend a lot of time on the sea brought cats with them and observed their behavior to predict if bad weather was coming their way.
Are Cats Able to Sense Bad Weather?
Due to their extreme sensitivity, cats can pick up on things humans can’t, including bad weather coming your way. Most of the time, this ability comes from their response to shifts in atmospheric pressure, which typically drops before a storm. Many animals instinctively react to these changes as part of their survival mechanisms.
Depending on a cat’s sensitivity, some cats may become overly nervous or scared when sensing air pressure changes, while others can simply disregard these senses. Another important thing to mention is that cats also have a strong sense of smell and hearing. Those senses allow your feline to hear thunderstorms even from a distance and to smell the rain in the air.
When all the senses cats have combined, they can be a pretty good tool for determining if there’s bad weather coming your way or not.
Can Your Cat Sense an Incoming Storm?
Although cats can sense changes in the air pressure and react to them, that still doesn’t make them an entirely reliable weather forecast. Your cat may be able to recognize changes in the atmosphere and rain and storms coming your way, but there is no way to tell for sure.
Besides noticing the changes in the air pressure, your cat may pick up on smells and sounds in their surroundings that may indicate storms and rain. However, some cats may sense weather changes but simply not respond to them, which can make it hard for you to try and predict the weather simply by observing your cat.
Behavioral Changes in Cats When the Weather Is About to Change
Every cat is individual, meaning that not all cats will react the same to weather changes.
Certain behavioral changes, some of which are anecdotal and based on owner observations, may be more common in some cats when sensing bad weather, including:
How to Keep Your Cat Calm During Weather Changes?
Since some cats may be sensitive to weather changes, it’s not uncommon for them to become anxious or stressed during that period. Because of that, you should try to help your cat cope with the situation.
Occasionally, helping your cat in such a situation may be easier said than done.
There are things you can do to calm your feline, including:
Final Thoughts
It’s undeniable that cats are way more in tune with nature than humans, which is why they can sense various changes in the atmosphere. A cat cannot actually predict the weather, but they can detect shifts in air pressure, smell approaching rain, or sense an incoming storm.
Featured Image Credit: OlegDoroshin, Shutterstock
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