Cats, just like humans, are unique and each has its own personality. What could be desirable to some may not be desirable to other cats. Take, for instance, common household items, like tin foil. It is used to store food, cover baking surfaces and wrap food like fish or meat so it won’t lose moisture during the cooking process. Surprisingly, it can also be used to deter cats from certain areas at home.
Do cats hate tin foil?
It depends on the catt. As mentioned, each cat has its own unique likes and dislikes. Some cats hate it, while others like it and may even sit on it or play with it.
Surprisingly, tin foil has gained popularity in recent years as a cat deterrent because of its sound and texture. Some people claim that cats hate it since they feel uncomfortable with the crinkly sound it makes. When cats lived in the wild, part of their hunting skills was having the ability to move as silently as possible.
When cats step on tin foil, it makes a crinkly, noisy sound and gives away their presence. This is why they dislike it. Cats like to move stealthily, so anything they walk on that makes a sound proves a disadvantage for predators like them. Also, most cats avoid it because of its unusual texture.
Some cats hate tin foil because it causes sensory overload. They do not have any instinctual reference on how to handle it because it is new and entirely unfamiliar for them. Some cat owners believe that cats hate tin foil since it looks like water. Because it is shiny and reflective, they will avoid walking into it.
Does tin foil keep cats away?
Yes and no, because there are cats that take to tin foil easily. The best way to know if tin foil can keep your cat away is to place a sheet of tin foil on the kitchen counter or in an area of your home where you do not want your cat to go. Observe your cat’s reaction closely.
If your cat dislikes it, she will not walk on it. She may also go out of her way to avoid coming in contact with the material. The reactions will vary from one cat to another; although some cats will be frightened by the tin foil, other cats tend to be more curious and may even sit or lay on it.
Some cats are also fascinated with a tin foil ball toy. Other cats will come near if they hear its crinkly sound since it reminds them of their human unwrapping food. While some cats are hesitant to walk on tin foil since it is weird and different for them, they will eventually walk over it once they know it is safe to walk on.
Is tin foil safe for cats?
No, tin foil is not safe for cats if they use it as a toy or if they try to rip and chew the foil. It has sharp edges and it can easily tear, which could injure or hurt a cat’s paws. If a cat attempts to chew or tear the tin foil, it may also hurt its mouth due to the sharp edges.
Small pieces of foil could also choke your cat if it swallows it; it may cause vomiting and intestinal blockage. If you suspect that your cat ingested some foil, take her to the veterinarian for prompt treatment.
What other materials do cats dislike?
Cats also tend to dislike plastic carpet runners and sticky paper because they do not like its texture: they hate walking on these surfaces. Cats do not like slippery vinyl plastic and microfiber fabric since they cannot scratch it. Also, since they have a superior sense of smell, they can detect even the faintest smells. Smells that they hate include citronella, aloe, citrus, eucalyptus oil, and solid air fresheners.
Conclusion
Cats are adorable pets but like humans, they also have their preferences. Each has its own personality and temperament which makes them all unique. Some cats hate tin foil and will avoid it at all costs because of its texture and crinkly sound. Other cats like it in spite of those things. They know that it is safe to walk on and won’t hurt their paws unless it is used as a toy because of the sharp edges.
Image: istockphoto.com / NiseriN