5 Reasons Why Your Cat Is So Staticky & Tips to Control It

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Why Your Cat Is So Staticky Tips for Making Your Cat Less Staticky

Sometimes, you reach down to pet your cat and quickly pull your hand back due to receiving a sharp static shock! But while a few static shocks are normal, if you feel like they are happening too often, there might be an underlying reason.

Static shocks can be painful or even dangerous for your cat, so it is worth taking the time to figure out what is causing them. Here are five reasons that your cat might be so staticky, along with potential solutions.

The 5 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Is So Staticky

1. Not Enough Moisture in the Air

tabby cat lying on the lap of a woman reading a book — Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

Likelihood	High
Seriousness	Low

By far the most likely reason your cat is so staticky is that there is not enough moisture in the air. This is more common during winter, but anytime there's a low level of humidity in your home, it is possible.

The lack of humidity pairs with the friction that your cat creates in their daily life to create static electricity. Eliminating one of these factors will go a long way in eliminating the static electricity on your cat.

2. Synthetic Fibers

a red tabby cat lying in the tent — Image Credit: kimberrywood, Shutterstock

Likelihood	Moderate
Seriousness	Low

If you put clothes on your cat or your cat sleeps on a cat bed and your cat is constantly staticky, check the materials in the clothes or bed. Natural fibers typically don’t produce much static electricity, while synthetic fibers are notorious for it.

Polyester is a common synthetic fiber that creates static electricity. In addition to natural fibers on any cat clothes or cat beds, any blankets or rugs that your cat lies on can lead to a buildup of static electricity too.

3. Dry Coat

cleaning cat by shampoo on water bath — Image Credit: angnokever, Shutterstock

Likelihood	Moderate
Seriousness	Moderate

While you can simply wet your cat’s coat every once in a while to help with static buildup, having a wet coat can lead to a cold cat with matted fur. Instead of simply adding moisture to your cat’s coat, we recommend using good shampoo, conditioner, and supplements to create a natural and healthy cat coat.

If you care for your cat’s coat properly, you should not need to constantly wet it, leaving you with a warm kitty with well-kept fur!

4. Unkempt Coat

cat sleeping on owner's lap — Image Credit: Karpova, Shutterstock

Likelihood	Low
Seriousness	Moderate

This isn’t the most likely reason that your cat has excessive static buildup, but it is certainly possible. An unkempt coat can create all kinds of problems for your cat, so we recommend brushing them out at least once a week.

Not only can it help reduce the amount of static electricity, but it can also help with shedding, hairballs, and more!

5. You Being Staticky

cat owner talking to his pet — Image Credit: Piqsels

Likelihood	Moderate
Seriousness	Low

Sometimes you might think that the cat is the problem when it is you! If you have an excessive buildup of static, it might discharge when you touch your cat. You can try to reduce the amount of static on your cat, but if you are the problem, it won’t help!

If you think that you have an excessive buildup of static, all the potential causes for your cat could be causing the static buildup on you.

Top 4 Tips for Making Your Cat Less Staticky

If you have a cat with an excess amount of static, identifying the cause is only half the battle. Here are five ways that you can help reduce the amount of static on your cat.

1. Add a Humidifier

If your cat’s coat is constantly building up static, one of the best things that you can do is add more moisture to the air. A humidifier is a quick and easy solution.

Put the right-sized humidifiers in the rooms where your cat spends the most time. The more rooms you put humidifiers in, the better, but you don’t necessarily need one in rooms where your cat doesn’t typically hang out.

2. Use a High-Quality Shampoo and Conditioner

Caring for your cat’s coat will go a long way in keeping it healthy and reducing static buildup. The right shampoo and conditioner can lead to a coat full of beneficial nutrients. However, never bathe your cat more than once a month unless a vet directs you to.

Baths strip oils from your cat’s skin, so bathing them too frequently can lead to skin conditions and irritations.

3. Use Metal Brushes

Brushing your cat’s fur has plenty of benefits, and a metal anti-static brush can amplify those benefits. Find a comfortable and effective brush for your cat, and brush them every day or so to help discharge any static buildup and keep their coat in pristine condition.

4. Use Natural Fibers

Look at your cat’s favorite lounging areas and clothes to see the kind of materials that they use. Synthetic fibers are often used because they’re cheaper to produce, but they also attract static.

Simply switching out clothes, blankets, and beds might be all you need to do to get your cat’s static problem under control.

5. Add Omega-3 to Their Food

Omega-3 is a dietary supplement with many health benefits for your cat. It can help with inflammation, hot spots, dry skin, joint health, and much more. While you can pick up a supplement at the store, we recommend reaching out to a vet first.

If you want to skip the vet visit, find a cat food that already has omega-3s. This will ensure that you are not giving them too much while they still get the potential benefits.

black and white cat eats liquid food from a plate — Image Credit: Elizabett, Shutterstock

In Summary

Now that you know more about why your cat might have so much static electricity and what you can do to prevent it in the future, you can take the necessary steps to help get it under control. This way, when you go to pet them, you do not have to worry about getting a shock in return!

Featured Image Credit: U__Photo, Shutterstock