Why is My Cat Afraid of Ceiling Fan? [Answered]
Cats are fascinating pets that frequently astound us with their peculiar habits and actions. Also, they have many fears just like the fear of moving ceiling fans. Most cat owners frequently ask why their cat afraid of ceiling fan and hides or runs when I switch on the ceiling fan.
Cats have “Fan Phobia, ” the fear of ceiling fans. The reason behind this phobia is that cats are particularly sensitive to noise and motion. So, the ceiling fans may stimulate their fear, and when you switch on the ceiling fans, they may get scared, hide, behave weirdly, or much more!
Continue to read to learn why felines hide every time you switch on the ceiling fan. Moreover, this article will discuss the causes of your felines’ ceiling fans as well as possible solutions to make your cats comfortable.
Reasons Cat Scared of Ceiling Fans
As you know, each cat has different nature, and that’s why they’ll all have different reasons for not enjoying ceiling fans. The most common possible reasons for cats’ being afraid of ceiling fans are explained below:
Check Out: How To Stop Cat From Jumping On TV Stand?
1. Ceiling Fans Resemble Predators
Ceiling fans can frighten certain felines. Cats may mistake the rotor blades for enormous prey birds because they resemble wings, especially while they are whirling. Kittens are vulnerable to attacks from big birds like eagles and owls. Therefore, there is a considerable likelihood that your little cat breed will feel threatened or dangerous under a ceiling fan.
2. Ceiling Fans make Strange Sounds
Since cats have a better range of sensitivity than people do, some noises that might not annoy humans as much may upset them. We could also have become accustomed to ceiling fans’ noises, losing sight of how bothersome they can indeed be.
Some cats may find the buzzing noises that ceiling fans make when they are operating irritating. Another annoying sound for felines is the squeaking sound that certain older fans make when they revolve. Check to discover whether your fans are exceptionally noisy by doing so.
3. Cats Don’t Enjoy the Roof Fan’s Air
Usually, cats look for warmth. Therefore, if it is a particularly warm day, your cat might not appreciate the air that comes from ceiling fans. Cat species with less fur, kittens, and senior cats may have more trouble controlling their tempers of the body. Cats could find it uncomfortable to remain in cold rooms.
Also, Check Out: What Temperature Do Cats Like?
4. Cats are Vulnerable to Rapid Light Changes
Cat eyes have been at least 6 times more illumination sensitive than human eyesight. Therefore, your cats also don’t enjoy the experience when the bulbs abruptly come in place and instead respond more to rapid shifts in brightness. When cats realize that a roof fan’s light fitting is a point of light, they might develop a dislike for it.
How to Know if your Cat Feels Comfortable With Fans?
Cats come in a variety of characters. A cat may get afraid of a fan because of the motion and noise it creates. Some cats prefer the wind a fan creates, but others dislike it because it blows directly in their faces. But unlike us, felines don’t require a fan to stay cool on such a warm day.
In general, cats can handle the heat easier than humans can. Unlike humans, cats don’t perspire via their skin. They perspire via their paws since they have furry bodies.
Test and experience are the best approaches to determine if the cat enjoys the fan. Take a moment to turn it on and observe how your feline responds. Your cat won’t run away and withstands the ceiling fan fun, although if it doesn’t enjoy it, it’ll rush away.
Some cats could be scared when they first notice a fan running, but as they grow acclimated to it over the course of a few days, they’ll be OK. They learn to disregard the fan because it has no negative effects on them.
Also Read: How Long Will a Scared Cat Hide?
How Do You Know Your Cat Is Scared?
The following signs show that your cat is scared:
1. Dilated pupils
The pupils of your cat may enlarge when it is terrified. That implies that once the pupil covers its eye, it should appear mostly black. Eye dilatation aids your cat in its attempt to see as much as it can since it is terrified.
Check Out: Why Are My Cat’s Eyes Dilated All The Time?
2. Flattened Ears
Usually, your feline ears will also be bent to the sides if she is a bit fearful. But, if your pet cat senses a great deal of danger or fear, it will flatten its ears, frequently to the side.
3. Crouching
Your feline may assume a protective stance by crouching low to the floor if he is frightened. Instead of seeming at ease and lying on its back, the feline will appear stiff and willing to move at every time with its feet beneath it.
4. Bristly Fur
When a cat is angry and terrified, it may puff up to seem larger. In this manner, it may frighten off whatever it fears. For example, if its entire body is inflated, you can see that its hair is standing out on end.
How to Calm Your Cat if it’s Afraid of Ceiling Fan?
Finding a solution to your feline fan fear might be difficult for both of you. Cats are attracted to airflow by nature and will frequently seek out areas with plenty of air circulation, such as next to a ceiling fan. However, it could be important to seek expert assistance if your cat exhibits significant anxiety or fear of ceiling fans.
1. Install a Desktop Fan
Cats may become alarmed by the appearance of enormous moving objects over their heads. They perceive them like some sort of loud flying predator. Use a desktop fan in place of a ceiling fan to prevent this. This is among the finest methods to keep your home cool while also promoting peace and relaxation in your cat.
2. Keep Cats Away
If you cannot remove the ceiling fan, lay a large boulder over your chest and barricade the door to the room where the cat enters. The greatest way to get over this anxiety would be to refuse them access.
3. Stabilize the Ceiling Fan
Stabilize your ceiling fan so to make sure felines don’t experience this. Buy a brand-new one that makes less sound, or adjust this one. Your feline will become more at ease and less frightened as a result.
4. Feeding Cat Close to a Fan
There’s a notion that says you have a better chance of permanently overcoming your phobia if you approach it slowly. Feed your pet cat close to the fan while keeping the space between the fan and the area where you’re feeding your pet cat as little as possible each day. Let the fan run at such a low rpm while you observe your cat’s behaviour.
Check Out: Why Do Cats Like Refrigerators?
What Can You Do If Cat is Afraid of Ceiling Fans?
Many cat owners frequently ask how to get their cats to stop being scared of ceiling fans. You may take measures to reduce your cat’s anxieties if they’re terrified of fans. The following advice will help you include the fan in your daily feline routine, and it won’t be scared again with a ceiling fan:
1. Ensure that the ceiling fan is turned off before bringing your cat home
When you bring a new cat to your home, it mustn’t be frightened by any loud noises or suspicious motions of ceiling fans. So, always keep your fan off while bringing a new cat home.
2. Make Sure the Blade isn’t Loud when the Ceiling fan is on
Whenever you switch on the fan, use precaution like if your feline is terrified of the blade, make sure it is brought down to a minimal level or even completely off.
3. Encourage your Pet Cat to Habituate to and Familiarise Itself with the Ceiling fan
Sometimes, putting a new thing into their surroundings can be frightful and makes them fearful. Before utilizing it further, give your cat some time to get used to this unique appliance in your house and believe that they’ll get used to the fan’s sound.
4. Try out Several Ceiling Fan Models
There are several ceiling fans available with various blade dimensions and shapes. Several even have a steady stream in mind. Look into the options and test out several models till you locate the one that works best for your cat.
5. Change the Ceiling fan Blades
If none of the preceding recommendations works, you may swap out your present ceiling fan for a different design. A smaller one can assist your cat in developing more sense of security and comfort because many cats are terrified of moving items in the intermediate height range.
6. Test out Various Ceiling fan Heights
If one fan style is ineffective, try another with various heights. You could discover that your pet cat only reacts negatively to the upper edge of the blade, in which case a lower design with a broader blade might be ideal.
7. Daytime, Turn off your room Ceiling fan
If using a ceiling fan in your house is your need, turn it off during the daytime when cats are taking naps or sleeping at night since the sound and motion can frighten them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I leave the ceiling fan on for my cat?
It depends on your cat’s behaviour. If your cat is afraid of the moving ceiling fan, then you might turn it off. Otherwise, it will be okay to leave the ceiling fan on.
Why is my cat staring at the ceiling fan?
Your pet cat may look at the ceiling fan for several reasons. They may be attempting to figure things out, for instance. If they notice anything moving, they could attempt to identify it and decide whether it poses a threat.
Why is your cat meowing at the fan?
Cat meows at ceiling fans because they may think that ceiling fan blades could resemble a flying predator because of their motion, shape, or colour.
How to remove ceiling fan phobia from a cat?
Start by shutting off the ceiling fan and keeping it that way until the cat gets over his phobia. Use desktop fan models instead of ceiling ones. Install a ceiling fan whose blades make less noise.
Final Verdict!
The cat’s fear of fans isn’t exceptional because all animals experience some anxieties. It’s acceptable if they fear ceiling fans for the above-mentioned reasons.
Don’t freak out as if you did, then who will deal with your furry friend’s fear? So, stay relaxed and, if necessary, seek out expert or friend assistance.
Moreover, If you put these recommendations into practice, your small furry friend will surely overcome their fear of ceiling fans and won’t get scared again.
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Who is Isabella?
My name is Isabella, and I am a dedicated and knowledgeable cat enthusiast. With years of experience caring for cats and a deep love for felines, I made a mission to help other cat lovers navigate the challenges of cat ownership.
