Why Do Cats Hate Aluminum Foil? Vet-Approved Feline Facts & FAQs
By Kit Copson
Updated on
Many cats are spooked by or disapprove of certain objects, sounds, and smells. This commonly includes cucumbers, vacuum cleaners, balloons, and aluminum foil. Though fear of something as harmless as aluminum foil may seem irrational to us, if we consider how weird it looks, feels, and sounds, it all starts to make sense. Cats may dislike aluminum foil due to its texture, sound, and the unusual sensation it creates when they come into contact with it, which can be aversive to them. Read on to find out why your cat makes itself scarce whenever the old tin foil makes an appearance.
The Feel
For cats, aluminum foil has an odd texture. The combination of smooth surfaces and rough edges is what makes it feel so weird to cats. Even if the aluminum is laid out on the floor, it likely feels really weird for a cat to step on which could be enough to send them running in the opposite direction.
The main reason cats don’t appreciate the feel of aluminum foil is because it doesn’t offer them good traction when they step on it. It’s likely akin to how we feel when we walk on ice; the lack of traction isn’t a pleasant feeling. Cats often feel the same way when they’re on aluminum foil; they don’t like the lack of grip on the foil.
The following reasons might be other plausible reasons why a cat would not like aluminum foil. However, they are mostly anecdotal.
The Sound
Cats can hear high-pitched sounds well. This is why high-pitched sounds—like the crinkly, tinny sound aluminum foil makes when you scrunch it or rip it—may be extremely bothersome to cats. Though it might not be annoying to you, it is important to note that it might not be up to your cat’s preferences.
For the same reason, you may notice your cat getting upset when they hear other high-pitched and loud sounds like sirens, a balloon being squeezed of air, banging, fireworks, and vacuum cleaners to name but a few.
The Look
Aluminum foil is reflective, and this may cause cats to feel confused. Some believe that because aluminum foil looks somewhat like water—something many cats are uneasy around—it might be disconcerting for them to see foil or shiny gift wrap laid out on the floor because they may be mistaking it for a puddle. We can’t be sure that this is truly the case, but it’s a possibility.
Nevertheless, whether or not the cat sees the foil as water specifically, they may still perceive this new and unusual material as a potential threat and just walk away because it’s instinctive to evade risks. Other objects that can make cats uneasy include mirrors, cucumbers, and certain types of flooring.
Will Aluminum Foil Deter My Cat from Certain Places?
If you’ve just realized that your cat hates aluminum foil, you may be wondering if you can use this to your advantage. There are areas in all of our houses where we don’t want our cats to go, like near our plants, for example.
If you’re considering placing aluminum foil around your plants or other areas forbidden to your cat, there’s no guarantee it will actually work. While this method could work with some cats, others may simply get used to the aluminum foil’s presence, which will take away any deterrent effect it may have.
Furthermore, if your cat gets too comfortable with it, they may rip pieces of foil off and end up swallowing them which could be dangerous.
Conclusion
So, for cats with a fear of aluminum foil, it most likely stems from their unease surrounding weird new sounds, objects, and textures. That being said, not every cat hates it and some even enjoy playing with balls of aluminum foil. If this sounds like your cat, be careful—it’s really easy for aluminum foil to break apart, which means your cat may end up accidentally swallowing some.
See also: My Cat Ate Aluminum Foil – Should I Be Worried?
Featured Image Credit: JumpStory
