Cats are unique creatures, and they often surprise us with their odd quirks and behaviors.
Do you have to always turn your fan off because your cat gets uneasy when you leave it on? Do you have to constantly feed your cat in a separate place with no ceiling fans?
Does your cat run away and hide when you turn on the ceiling fan? Does your cat stare at your ceiling fan or get uneasy looking at the ceiling fan?
Is your cat suffering from ‘Ceiling Fan Phobia’? Is this a CAT-atrophe for you?
Don’t worry! To find out the answers to these questions keep reading because we have the purr-fect solution for you.
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Are Cats Afraid of Ceiling Fans?
The answer is yes! Cats are afraid of ceiling fans and this is called the “Fan Phobia”. Cats have a very sensitive sense of sound and movement and this could be triggered by the ceiling fan.
A few years ago, Pam Johnson Bennett, a feline behaviorist explained that cats are afraid of ceiling fans because they look like predatory birds.
She also said that they are afraid of brown-colored fans because they remind them of hawks and owls but light or white-colored fans, they are less afraid of those.
The good news is there are some simple things you can do to keep your kitty safe and sound while still using your fan to stay cool when summer rolls around.
You might also like to read about do cats like fans
Why Are Cats Afraid of Ceiling Fans?
Cats are afraid of fans because they think these ceiling fans are flying hunters or predators. It very well may be a neophobic response, meaning cats fear these fans since they are something new that they haven’t experienced previously.
Here are some of the possible reasons for cats scared of ceiling fans:
1. Ceiling fans look like a bird will take off and attack them
This is why cats are afraid of ceiling fans, as they are often mistaken for a bird and attacked by predators. The bird might be confused by the detachable blades ( which could cause plastic scratches) or the noise it makes ( which sounds like a predator).
2. Cats are afraid of the noise
Ceiling fans can often be very noisy. The loud fan blades, the whirring of the motor, and the air that’s moving from the fan can seem threatening to your cat. Plus, the vibration of a moving fan can make your kitty feel unsettled in its environment.
3. The presence of a ceiling fan in an unfamiliar environment
Cats are naturally curious creatures, and they will investigate new things in their surroundings. However, if you move new objects into your home without warning your kitty first, they may interpret these as threats to their safety and run. This is more likely the case if they’re exploring something at an unsafe height.
4. Cats can’t see the blades
Many cats are afraid of objects that they cannot see well. If your fan has a light, your cat may be confused and scared about why it’s on and why it’s moving.
5. The high speed of a ceiling fan
Cats are sensitive animals and are easily scared by sudden movements and loud noises. Your ceiling fan can make the whirring noise or the movement seem very fast to them.
The speed of the blades at heights over 4 feet can be too much for your cat to bear, especially if it’s running out at them from above!
You might also curious to know why is my cat staring at the ceiling
Are Ceiling Fans Dangerous For Cats?
NO. The ceiling fans are safe for cats to use. The fan’s blades are too small to cause any harm to the cat. They won’t even be able to hurt the cat if they hit them.
Cleaning your ceiling is one of the most important things you can do for your cat. It keeps your cat safe from potential diseases and parasites, keeping its environment clean and comfortable.
Also, make sure the fan is attached well to the wall and is not shaking otherwise they might fear that that big vicious creature above them is going to fall on them. And also check for the amount of noise.
Sit back and relax cat people, the ceiling fans don’t pose a threat or danger to your cats. The fear of the fan can be easily treated with a few tips and tricks.
It’s going to be O.K. I promise!!!! It’s very sweet that you care so much about your kitten!
How Do You Know Your Cat Is Scared?
- Running away from the room that has the fan
- Hiding from you
- Curving their back and puffing up their fur
- Widening their eyes or pupils
- Hissing
- Meow-ing at the ceiling fan
Are you confused about how to calm your cat? Wait for a meow-ment because we’ve got you covered!
How to Calm Down a Scared Cat?
If you find your cat nervous or anxious or even scared, the following steps will have them get calm:
1. Try to avoid or reduce the things that make them scared
If you know the things that make your cat scared, try to avoid those things. If that thing came across your cat outside, it might be the best option to keep them indoors.
They will find happiness while inside the house, it is a way to keep them safe. If they seem anxious inside, give them a way to escape and give them space to decide to stay outside or inside.
This will help them to trust you and also make them calmer.
2. Even animals need space
If your cat might get scared, they would either run and come to you or find a place to be alone. Don’t force them to reach you as this could increase the rate of fear inside them. So, try to give them space and respect their choice.
3. Drop down the curtains and Switch on the music
Music has always been one of the best escape routes whether it’s for human beings or animals. It gives a relaxing atmosphere.
Every pet animal has sensitive hearing towards loud noises, storms, or fireworks. So, to keep them calm divert their mind with good taste in music.
4. New things are scary
Everyone finds new things stressful not only two-legged animals, even four-legged too. So, if you want to make some changes try to start small. This will help them to adjust.
Give them supervised access at the start to explore new things, sounds and smells in the safest way possible.
5. Contact your vet
If you could do nothing to make them calm, the last option is to take them to the vet. Processionals are always better than amateurs.
You might also like to read about why are cats scared of plastic bags
What Can You Do If Cat is Afraid of Ceiling Fans?
If you have a cat that is afraid of fan blades, there are steps you can take to help ease their fears. Here are some tips for integrating your ceiling fan into your cat’s routine:
1. Make sure the fan is off when you bring your kitty home
If you have a new kitty in your home and are about to turn on the ceiling fan for the first time, make sure to do it when the cat is not around. You don’t want them to be startled by any sudden noises or frightening movements.
2. Make sure the fan is not noisy when the ceiling fan is on
Take precautions when you turn on the ceiling fan. Make sure the fan is turned down to a low setting, or even off together if your cat is still afraid of it.
3. Allow your kitty to become familiar with the ceiling fan and get used to it
Sometimes, introducing a new object into their environment can be very scary and make them anxious, but don’t worry as this stage will pass eventually.
Allow time for your kitty to become comfortable with this new device in your home and trust that they will also grow accustomed to the fan’s noise before you proceed further with using it.
4. Try out different types of ceiling fans
There are tons of ceiling fans on the market with different sizes and shapes of blades. Some are even designed to create a waterfall effect. Look into what’s available and try out different models until you find one ideal for your kitty.
5. Swap out the fan blades
If none of those suggestions help, you can completely replace your current ceiling fan with another model.
Some cats are afraid of moving objects in the middle height range, so changing it with a lower one will help make your cat feel more comfortable and secure when using it.
6. Try out different heights on the fan blades
If one type of fan doesn’t work, then another one with a different height can also help. You might find out that your cat is only afraid of the high end of the blade and a lower model with a wider blade will work great for them.
7. Switch off your ceiling fan during the day
The noise and movement can easily startle cats, so if you have no other options but to use it in your home, switch it off during the day while they are having their naps or asleep at night.
You might also consider setting up a speaker system in an adjoining room where they can hear it without being affected by any sudden noise or movements.
How to Remove Ceiling Fan Phobia From a Cat?
Celling fan phobia in cats can be a frustrating experience for both you and your cat. Cats are naturally drawn to moving air, and will often seek out places where there is a lot of air movement – like near a ceiling fan.
However, if your cat is excessively anxious or scared of ceiling fans, it may be necessary to seek professional help.
Some tips that may help include:
1. Use a desk fan
Cats might get freaked out at the sight of large moving things over their head. They find them as some flying predator and that too very noisy. So, to avoid this, use a desk fan instead of a ceiling fan.
This is one of the best ways to keep your atmosphere cool and also for your cat to be calm and relaxed.
Well first check whether your cat is ok with a desk fan or not otherwise all your hard work goes down the drain.
Also, check out how to keep cat off desk
2. Keep them away
If you can’t ditch your ceiling fan well there is only one way, place a big rock over your heart and cut off the entry of your cat inside that room, ouch!
Denying their entry might be the best solution to overcome this phobia.
3. Make the fan more stable
Remember when you thought the fan is going to fall?
Well, your cat is afraid of the ceiling fan no doubt but what if it’s afraid of the same thing you are anxious about?
So, to make sure they don’t have this feeling, stop the shaking of your fan. Adjust it or buy a new one with less noise too. This will help your cat to be calmer and less scared.
4. Feeding near the fan
It’s a saying that if your get close to your fear gradually you have more chances to escape it for good.
Keeping this in mind, feed your cat near the ceiling fan and every day keep minimizing the distance between the fan and the place where you are feeding your cat.
Keep the fan on a low speed and analyze your cat’s reactions.
If these measures do not work,
it may be necessary to have the fan installed in an inaccessible location to your cat. If this happens, keep a close eye on your cat and take appropriate measures if necessary.
As you can see, your cat is terrified of the ceiling fan! This is because its blades create a loud noise that cats find alarming. To make your cat feel more comfortable and safe, it’s important to gradually get it used to the fan.
Start by slowly turning it on and gradually increasing the speed. Spend some time near the fan while it’s on, and keep your cat close by so it knows that the blades aren’t a threat.
If you follow these simple steps, your cat should soon be enjoying the breeze from its new ceiling fan!
Does Your Cat Need Medication to Get Over Its Phobia?
Yes and No. This is not a must. Although some cats may require medication or the help of a professional Veterinarian.
You have to be careful not to use human drugs on your cats for treating their phobia or anxiety. You can also not self-treat them with medications.
Make sure you go to a trained veterinarian before giving any drugs to your cat. Self-prescription could be very dangerous for your cat.
Final Words
All mammals have some phobias so the cat is not an odd one out. They might have phobias of ceiling fans, which is okay.
Don’t panic because if you start panicking who’s gonna handle that furball? So, keep calm and if needed ask for help from either your family/friend or someone professional.
Take these suggestions into play and you can see changes in your little fur friend! Have a PAW-some day!!
