Can your cat predict the weather?

Most of us can remember one or two ways of predicting the weather that our grandparents swore by. It’s also more than likely that at least one of them involved a household cat or two.

For thousands of years, people have looked to nature to forecast the weather and, given that they had little in the way of modern technology, it was the only way they could plan ahead.

While many today would dismiss such methods, it’s worth considering that at least some of an animal’s behaviour is influenced by climactic events.

One of the more common theories is that a cat can sense a storm approaching. A cat’s senses are very astute and they may sense a change in air pressure or hear the rumbles of distant thunder well before we mere humans are able to.

Why would a cat lick its coat before a storm? It could be due to the fact that when humidity is low during good weather, particularly in winter, static electricity can build up on a cat's fur as it brushes past objects. The theory is that a cat will lick itself before a storm to moisten its fur thereby helping to stop the static electricity from building up.

There are also scientists that believe cats are aware of earthquakes before they happen through sensitivity to vibrations in the earth or changes in the magnetic field.

Of course, there are a number of folklores from the past that may (or may not) have much scientific value, including cats predicting rain by having dilated pupils, washing behind their ears or (even) looking continually out of the window. Wind is also said to be on its way if a cat claws at carpet.

Whether any of these theories are true or not, a cat can be a wonderful judge of your mood or your health. There are many stories of cats that seem to know when we are feeling down and comfort us through sickness, sadness or when we’re just feeling a little blue. Whether that’s to do with science (or whether a cat is just as much a “best friend” as a dog) is another matter altogether.

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