Does Static Electricity Hurt Cats?

Many cat owners accidentally experience a static shock when petting their cats. 

Static electricity does not cause significant harm to cats. The jolt or tingle from touching static electricity-charged fur will only, at most, causes mild discomfort. However, cats generally experience different levels of discomfort. Some cats may not react to the static shock, while others may jump in surprise. 

Find out how static electricity affects your cats and how to prevent it from happening by reading below. 

What is Static Electricity?

Static electricity is a type of electric charge usually created through friction. 

Materials rubbed together tend to remove electrons from the atoms of the materials. This action causes a static electric charge to be produced. The static electric charge builds up on the object’s surface until it is released or discharged.

Static electricity remains on the material’s surface until it comes in contact with another material. 

The static electric charge remains on the material until it is removed through an electric current or electrical discharge. For example, electric charge builds up on the surface of your body if your socks continuously rub against a carpet. You can typically release static electricity by interacting with objects and other people. 

Static electricity cannot seriously harm humans. 

You’ll typically feel a tingle or jolt when you discharge built-up static electrical charge by touching other objects. This tingle or jolt is caused by the movement of electrons from your body to the object. Sometimes it is possible to see sparks when touching objects if there is a large build-up of static electrical charge. However, these only cause small discomfort and will not cause significant harm to you. 

How Cats Get Exposed to Static Electricity

Continuous friction causes static electrical charge to build up on cats’ fur. 

Grooming, stroking, or petting cats adds a build-up of static electricity to their fur. Static electricity is also produced when cats rub themselves on couches, rugs, and other similar surfaces. These actions cause the cat’s fur to become electrically charged. The clearest sign of static electricity on cats is when objects like leaves, papers, and balloons stick onto their fur.

But don’t worry! Petting and grooming your cat aren’t enough to cause significant static electricity build-up. 

Static electricity build-up is more common in low-humidity environments. 

The amount of moisture in the air affects materials’ conductivity and tendency to hold static charges. Drier or low-humidity environments tend to see higher rates of static electricity build-up. Air moisture is a natural conductor that removes static electric charges from surfaces. 

Cats are more exposed to static electricity during winter. 

Indoor heating equipment is used to keep houses warm during winter. This reduces the amount of moisture present inside the house. It is common to accidentally shock cats with static during the peak winter or other similar cold climates. 

Effect of Static Electricity on Cats

Static electricity build-up on cats’ fur does not significantly affect cats. 

You can typically identify the presence of static electricity on their fur if their hair stands up. By itself, the static electricity on cats typically doesn’t cause harm to them. However, contact with other materials that can displace the static charge will. 

Cats will experience a discomforting jolt or tingle when you pet them while their fur is charged with static electricity. 

The discomfort from static shocks will not significantly affect the cat. However, the reaction produced by static shock may vary per cat. Some cats will not even feel discomfort and continue playing with their owners. Other cats can get spooked and run away. 

While the answer to does static electricity hurts cats is no, consider that cats may experience a different degree of discomfort. 

The discomfort cats feel depends on the amount of static electricity built up on their fur. It is possible to see a spark or sudden light when the cat comes into contact with other surfaces. Rest assured that this will never bring any significant harm to your cat. 

Getting Rid of Static Electricity on Cat’s Fur

Water is the easiest way to get rid of static electricity on a cat’s fur. 

Water and electricity may sound like a bad combination but in reality, water molecules reduce built-up static electricity. Simply mist or lightly dip your fingers into water and gently pet your cat. This will discharge the static electricity and prevent static shock. 

Use brushes made of anti-static electricity material for your cats.  

Using plastic brushes can contribute to the build-up of static electricity. Instead, use metal brushes. The metal will draw away the static electricity from the cat’s fur. Ensure the brush handle is made of different materials like rubber or plastic to avoid accidentally shocking yourself. A better alternative is to use an ionic brush. Ionic brushes are specifically made to discharge static electricity from your cat’s fur. 

Ways to Avoid Exposing Cats to Static Electricity

Static electricity usually goes unnoticed until you and your cat accidentally get shocked. 

Prevent accidental static shock by using various methods to reduce static electricity from building up. You can avoid exposing cats to static electricity by using humidifiers, using the right cat products, and buying the right bed material. 

Use a Humidifier 

Humidifiers are every cat owner’s best friend. 

Humidifiers emit water vapor into the air and increase the room’s moisture level. Moisture prevents static electricity from building up on the surface of materials. The optimum humidity level to significantly reduce static electricity is around 30% to 40%. You can monitor the humidity level using readily available hygrometers from hardware stores.

Invest in a good humidifier if you live in cold climates. 

Cold mist humidifiers are the best choice for cats. This humidifier uses fans to evaporate the water and produce cool water vapor. If you experience cold climates, then a warm mist humidifier is a great alternative. However, keep in mind that hot water vapor temperatures may cause discomfort and even cause scalding to cats. 

Moisturize your Cat’s Fur

Cats with dry fur are more likely to experience static electricity build-up than those with maintained coats. 

Lack of moisture allows static electricity to build up on surfaces. This concept also applies to surfaces like car fur. Moisturized cat fur is covered with a water-content layer. This layer discharges any static electricity.

Grooming sprays and grooming wipes are effective methods of keeping cat fur moisturized.

Some sprays and wipes have specialized formulas that balance pH and contain coat-nourishing moisturizers. These keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy and remove static electricity from its surface. 

Use Cat Beds Made of Natural Fibers

Natural fibers gather less static electricity than synthetic fibers. 

Natural fibers like cotton and leather absorb moisture from the air and the user’s body. This increases the number of water molecules inside and outside the fiber. This prevents static electricity from building up on the cat’s fur when they rub against the bed. 

Avoid choosing cat bets made from fabrics that cause static electricity. 

Synthetic materials retain a higher amount of static electric charges. This is because it has low water molecules inside and outside the fibers. Avoid materials like polyester, rayon, and microfibers to reduce static electricity cats. 

Take a look at some of our related articles below.

• Can you see static electricity in the dark
• How to cat proof wires
• How to remove static electricity from machinery

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