Since they’re so dangerous to cats, it’s essential to know what makes them so nervous.
According to researchers, cats detect the shapes and patterns of balloons and will react violently. They will look away from these massive toys; they won’t bite or chew them.
So, why are cats afraid of balloons? Well, there’s actually a scientific explanation.
Cats have very sensitive whiskers. Whiskers are very important for cats because they help them navigate and hunt prey.
However, when a cat’s whiskers are stimulated by a balloon, it can scare the cat and cause it great distress. Cats often react by fleeing or hiding under furniture.
However, if this happens while you’re holding the balloon, then the cat can get injured or scratched. It’s best to hold a balloon by the very end so your cat doesn’t accidentally get too close.
Do Cats Get Scared When a Balloon Pops?
Cats dislike surprises, and popping balloons can surprise them.
The unexpectedly loud noise of a balloon bursting can also frighten some kitties. It can also cause them to be anxious when they leave the safety of their hiding spot to find the source of the noise only to discover that the noise was coming from the balloon popping.
Once your cat has figured out that the noise came from the popped balloon, they will feel much safer as they realize that the balloon is no longer a threat.
A cat’s hearing range is significantly greater, ranging from 20-60 kHz compared to a human’s range of 20-20 kHz.
This means that cats are more sensitive to higher frequencies than humans.
A balloon makes a loud pop sound that is within the range of what a cat can hear. Therefore, it is quite possible that the sound of a balloon popping can scare a cat just as much as the sound itself.
Does The Sound Of A Balloon Popping Scare Cats?
Even if your cat is not afraid by the noise of the balloon popping, it may still be afraid of something else that is related to it.
A exploding balloon’s loud, piercing sound may disturb your cat, which may associate it with being in danger or in pain.
A cat may be frightened when it hears the popping sound of a balloon because it knows that it is going to experience pain soon and is trying to escape the impending doom by running away or hiding somewhere.
A bursting balloon might terrify a timid cat because it is uncertain if the object is going to cause pain or harm.
It is similar to the way in which a human would react if they heard a loud bang from an explosion happening somewhere nearby.
A exploding balloon may leave some fragments behind that may make a mess on the floor and scare the cat if it gets too curious.
Why Are Cats Afraid Of Balloons?
Strong Smell
It’s also the odor of the latex that’s emitted from the inflated portion of the ballon that may bother your cat.
Some pets are also sensitive to the smell of latex, which is similar to the smell emitted from plastic shopping bags and other synthetic materials.
If a cat inhales this strong odor, it can make them sneeze or even cough, which can trigger an asthma attack in susceptible animals.
These reactions can cause discomfort to the animal, and they may even cause them to react aggressively toward the balloon if they become frightened or irritated by it.
They will detect the stench as the balloon inflates and deflates.
The typical balloon is constructed of latex rubber and nylon string.
Extra Large
It is also the size that is most visible, so cats may be attracted to the bright colors and shiny surface.
They will observe a bouncing balloon as it slowly rises into the air and hangs there for a short time before it begins to fall.
This may force them to take a leap from the window to dislodge it, which may result in serious injury or even death.
Many contemporary balloons are large and round in shape, which are preferred by dogs who grab hold of them and then tear them apart with their sharp teeth.
Larger balloons will catch a cat’s attention more than smaller ones, so a pet owner should avoid buying a large helium-filled balloon for their pet to play with.
Erratic Motions
Many cats just do their thing, but smaller pets can get bored easily if they don’t get sufficient exercise or stimulation throughout the day.
If you have balloons laying about your home and your pet finds them, they may start to chase them around as if they were prey.
This is popular during birthday celebrations when balloons are placed around the house and the cat may find the moving objects to be an interesting distraction from regular activities.
Of course, this will be an unsafe activity for your cat because it may cause it to stumble over things while chasing the balloons.
Also Read: Are Cats Afraid Of Roomba?
Conclusion
Cats are terrified of balloons because they perceive them as threats.
When they come into contact with these giant inflatable toys, they either flee the scene in fear or become aggressive toward them.
However, there are a few things you can do to help your pet get over their fears.
First of all, you can try to distract them with toys and treats so they forget about the presence of the balloons around them.
You can also place ribbons on the tails of the balloons to make them less visible.
You can also use different colored ribbons to make different shapes to attract the attention of your cats without making them feel threatened.
Cats dislike unpredictability, which explains why they prefer familiar objects like bowls and beds to unfamiliar ones.
