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Cats have incredible senses, which include hearing and scent, but can they sense extraordinary things like tsunamis? While there are no definitive answers to that question due to a lack of studies, there are several interesting theories and popular mindsets that animals can sense natural disasters beforehand, based on observing their behavior. Keep reading as we explore these theories and other facts about cats to help you be better informed.
What Is a Tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves created by an underwater disturbance, like volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. These waves travel across the ocean basin and cause significant damage when they reach the shore.
Can Cats Sense a Tsunami?
When tsunamis have occurred in the past, there have often been reports of animals acting strangely beforehand, which has many people wondering if they can sense disaster. However, there is no scientific research to back up these claims. If some animals act strangely before a big event, many factors can be at play, like a drop in atmospheric pressure that they may be able to pick up, not the disaster itself.
Theories Explaining How a Cat May Be Able to Sense a Disaster
Some Animals Can Sense Magnetic Fields
Cats have an organ in the inner ear called the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance, and it detects other changes in their environment. While there isn’t sufficient evidence that it can play a part in magnetoreception, the vestibular system in pigeons seems to have just that function. Similarly to birds, new research has now shown that dogs, wolves, bears, and foxes, unlike cats and wild felines, have special molecules in the photoreceptors of the eyes that seem to be activated by the magnetic field. However, this hasn’t yet been found in felines, so it remains unknown if cats, like other animals, may be able to detect magnetic fields. Anecdotally, there are still reports that some cats start to behave strangely before a disaster.
Cats May Be Able to Sense Changes in Atmospheric Pressure
Cats might be able to sense an emergency like a tsunami if they can detect changes in air pressure through their vestibular system and associate it with an adverse weather event, if they have experienced it before. However, cats also likely combine other information they receive from the environment, like the sounds of distant weather effects like thunder and strong winds, and the smell of ozone.
Cats Might Notice Strange Behavior in Other Animals
Another thing cats may pay attention to that humans typically miss is the behavior of other animals, which might tip them off that something strange is happening and cause them to start behaving strangely too. However, this is purely a speculation or often even anthropomorphizing of felines, as it would involve cats interpreting the behavior and body language of other animals, which requires further scientific research. People have observed many animals besides cats, including dogs, birds, elephants, and zoo animals, acting strangely before a big event like a tsunami, and generally experiencing fewer fatalities.
What Can I Do?
Whether cats can detect a tsunami or not, preparing for natural disasters is important. Keep an emergency kit with food, water, and other supplies for you and your pet, and inspect it frequently so it’s always ready to go. Have your cat microchipped so there is a better chance of getting them back if you get separated, and put a breakaway ID collar on them so their name and address are always available. You will also want to ensure that you have a detailed plan in place for alternative shelter, so you know what to do with your cat in the event of a disaster.
In Summary
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer as to whether cats can sense tsunamis, but they may pick up on various environmental cues, which might cause them to start acting strangely right before a tsunami and other natural disasters. The best that we can do is prepare for the worst by keeping an emergency kit, developing a plan, and paying attention to our cats.
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
