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Veterinarians explain the mystery over what makes cats literally flip out over aluminum foil

It's like water.

Photo credit: Canva

Vets explain what makes cats literally flip out over aluminum foil

Cats really are strange creatures sometimes. We joke about them being liquid because they attempt to find a way to sit in the smallest, most awkward spaces for seemingly no reason. They can also be menaces to society, knocking things off of shelves, dipping their paws into whatever you're eating, or pouncing on your head while you're trying to sleep. There seems to be no end to their categorically weird behavior; they're even scared of strategically placed inanimate objects.

There are tons of videos showing cats practically leaving their body when they come face to face with a stray cucumber or orange. This is something that seems to have been repeated with aluminum foil. For some reason, a lot of cats simply can't stand the shiny stuff if it's not in the form of a ball with a bell inside. So what is it about the food wrap that causes felines to flip out if they encounter it? According to Forever Vets, the answer is simple–sensory overload.

cats; aluminum foil; cats scared of foil; foil on counters; cat deterrent Cooking up charm: kitchen cuddles and culinary creativity.Photo credit: Canva

Aluminum foil is shiny and smooth so when a cat's paw touches it the texture is foreign to them and may seem dangerous. But the real challenge comes when they put weight on the paw touching the foil. The noise foil makes when manipulated in any way can be uncomfortable or overwhelming to a cat's sensitive ears.

"Cats are highly particular about the surfaces they walk on, and many prefer soft, stable footing. Aluminum foil is the opposite — it's crinkly, slippery, and unpredictable. Cats rely on their paw pads to gauge texture and stability, and aluminum foil creates an unsettling sensation that they are not used to. The instability beneath their feet makes them feel unsafe, prompting them to jump away," Forever Vets writes in a blog post.

@paws.of.tiktok Cats discovering aluminum foil for the first time are some of the most hilarious moments lol #cat #catsoftiktok #catlover #foryou #funnycat ♬ original sound - .

One school of thought is that aluminum foil resembles water due to its reflective surface. Purrfect Fence says, "If a cat had not been exposed to foil before, and suddenly there was a large 'puddle' of it on the floor or countertop, it’s possible that it could be mistaken for water at first glance. In general, it’s safe to say that cats prefer to stay dry. So if the foil is initially perceived to be water, then most cats would likely be hesitant to walk right onto it."

Whether cats believe foil is a slippery sheet of ice or a suddenly appearing pond, it can be used as a short-term deterrent. Short-term, because while it may work great to keep cats from jumping onto counters or stop them from scratching furniture, it won't change their instinct to do so. That means as soon as you remove the foil deterrent, the unwanted behavior will surely return just as fast as it stopped. It also doesn't work for the long term because some cats are braver than others. Eventually, a brave kitty will figure out the foil isn't scary and test it out until they've become used to the sensations the aluminum foil brings.

@phanthavongrisugl Cat vs Aluminum foil #cat #catsoftiktok #funny #pets #funnycats #funnyvideo #foryou ♬ original sound - Cat Tales

This doesn't mean it doesn't have its place in deterring felines from unwanted behaviors. If you're attempting to keep cats out of a Christmas tree until presents are snuggly fitted beneath the branches, foil is a cheap and easy solution. The same goes for when you're preparing for a birthday party or holiday meal. Placing foil on the counters and table for a few days before the event will likely deter the furry roommates from adding their hair as seasoning to whatever dish you're preparing.

Cats are smart, determined little creatures, so the majority of deterrents used will have a shelf life of effectiveness. According to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the use of positive reinforcement is the best way to train animals...yes, even cats.

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19 cats have drowned in Amsterdam's canals in the past 6 months. The city is taking action.

“A simple measure can prevent enormous animal suffering."

Photo credit: Canva

This could help prevent a lot of suffering, cat advocates say.

We all know about Amsterdam's gorgeous canals. They're a staple and a must-see spot, but folks who’ve traveled there, as well as the locals, will tell you that Amsterdam's free-roaming cats are also a major staple of the city—much like in Istanbul, Tokyo, and Rome.

However, unlike these other cities, Amsterdam’s famous canals pose a major threat to its felines.

As Maggie Ruitenberg from the The Dutch Cat Knowledge Centre explained (according to Euronews), cats often fall into the canals when startled. Even though they can swim, their fur gets weighed down by the water quickly, causing them to fatigue. Pair that with the canals’ high walls, and it’s virtually impossible for the poor things to make it out in time. This year alone, 19 cats have drowned because of this.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Luckily, thanks to a Netherlands-based animal welfare organization called the PvdD (aka the Party for the Animals), they have allocated €100,000 towards making wooden staircases along the banks of the canals in locations where cats and other animals might need it most—in areas where drownings have already occurred, followed by other high-risk spots.

This was an idea taken from the neighboring city of Amersfoort, which already has 300 of the staircases installed. Between both cities, there could be over 500 tiny staircases along the canals by the end of the year.

“A ladder can really save their life, as long as there are enough of them,” said Ruitenberg. According to the Independent, Judith Krom of the Party for the Animals also described the action as “a simple measure [that] can prevent enormous animal suffering.”

“The adopted motion demonstrates that as a city, we take responsibility for protecting the lives of animals.”

Truly, the only bad thing about this is, as Vice writer Luis Prada noted, that these staircases are called “Cat Traps,” and not “Cat Walks.”

“I know they mostly speak Dutch, but they speak enough English to have heard of a catwalk before. It was right there,” Prada quipped. Hard to disagree!

Of course, this is not the first time Amsterdam has made an effort to heighten the quality of life for its canal kitties. Take, for instance, the De Poezenboot, a houseboat-turned-floating-cat-sanctuary that’s housed dozens of cats at a time since the mid-'60s. It’s been described online as a “floating paradise where cats lounge by the windows, nap in flower boxes, and enjoy a peaceful life on the canal while awaiting their forever homes.”

Between these, plus cat walking tours, Kattencafes (cat cafes) and bars, as well as the KattenKabinet (Cat Cabinet) cat art museum, it's clear that Amsterdam is a haven for cats and cat lovers alike. If you plan on visiting there in the future, keep an eye out for those staircases, or any of these other amazing cat-centric fixtures.

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Study finds pets are worth $90,000 a year in happiness, almost exactly the same as a spouse

Wait, does that mean getting a dog is the same as getting married?

Cecily Knobler

A woman marries her dog.

It's not often we think of "life satisfaction" in terms of a number. But in a world where it would seem everything has a currency attached to it, having a pet is worth quite a lot.

Obviously, any animal lover will tell you that having a pet companion is priceless. But, according to a study published in the Social Indicators Research Journal (which surveyed 2,500 British households), researchers Michael W. Gmeiner and Adelina Gschwandtner surmised that having a pet companion actually does have a quantitative financial value.

In an article for CNN, author Issy Ronald explains that this study "concludes that having an animal companion is worth up to £70,000 ($90,000) a year in life satisfaction—a metric economists use to quantify the 'implicit price' of otherwise intangible things."

What's even more interesting? The study finds that dollar (pound) amount is relatively the same as the financial "worth" of having a spouse or "meeting up with friends and relatives regularly."

But how? The researchers explain, "Economists have relatively recently developed ‘the life satisfaction approach’ to assess the size of the effect of different factors on life satisfaction. The process involves using simple regression analysis to determine the implicit price of different factors or occurrences in life." Citing many different studies, they determine how to put a monetary value on what otherwise might seem immeasurable.

Now let's bust out some math. Using the equation U = V (P,Y,A), they explain: "U here is utility, P is the price of the marketable good (such as housing), Y is the numeraire (income), and A is the level of the good or amenity (e.g., scenery, or pet companionship in our case)." The equations get much longer and more complicated than that. (And unless you just emerged from a calculus class and/or have had loads of coffee this morning, it might be a bit much.)

cats, dogs, pets, companionship, value A cat poses for the camera. Photo by little plant on Unsplash

But the basic idea is: the equation determines the actual value that a pet brings to your overall life. For example, having a dog might get you on neighborhood walks, which is good exercise and could help you make friends. This adds value to your life, which translates into theoretical income.

This idea has inspired fabulous memes on social media. On Instagram alone, the comments are sweet—and some a little cutting for the married folks. One commenter writes, "To be honest, it’s probably better. Dogs love unconditionally, are super loyal, match your energy, and give some great comedic relief."

Another goes even further to say, "The love I felt for my dog was pure. I've never felt that level of moment-by-moment joy with anyone. I love my hubby, but my pup made me literally feel like I met an angel full of love and light that wanted to live with me."

One person joked that comparing the worth of a pet to a spouse is impossible: "That’s an insult to all dogs."

The cat owners were relatively quiet on the matter on social media, but knowing many feline lovers, it's assured that most of them feel the same way.

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Cat that wandered onto the stage during orchestral performance becomes surprise star of the show

“He KNEW this was about him."

via abcnews/TikTok

A cat wanders on stage in Istanbul.

Oh, what it must be like to be a cat. To never suffer from imposter syndrome, to take on foes at least twice your size without hesitation, to navigate the world like you’re on every VIP list in existence. What a glorious life indeed. Take this concert-crashing kitty, for example. During a live orchestra performance at the 52nd annual Istanbul Music Festival, a curious feline wandered up on stage without a care in the world—and of course, it was all anybody could talk about.

In a clip shared to multiple social media platforms by several news outlets, including @abcnews on TikTok, we see the gray and white cat traipsing onto the stage, as if drawn in by the whimsical tune being played.

Then, it literally catwalks across the stage, unbothered from beginning to end.

Watch:

@abcnews

A curious cat wandered onto stage during a live orchestra performance at the 52nd Istanbul Music Festival. #turkey🇹🇷 #orchestra #catsoftiktok

Of course, as many viewers pointed out, this is an all-too-common sight in Istanbul, which, like many Muslim countries, holds a special place in its heart for felines. According to Catster, cats don’t have owners. Instead, they are taken care of by the entire community all around the city—from tea houses to ferries to public transport and beyond. Istanbul even funds veterinary care for its stray cats, including spaying and neutering, emergency care, and a mobile Vetbus. It’s pretty much Kitty Heaven over there.

In Islam, cats have special privileges over other pets. "Cats have a very special place in the Muslim household and in the Muslim culture in general," Imran Malik told The Columbus Dispatch. A big reason for this is that they are considered pure, clean, and hygienic. The Prophet Muhammad was also known for his fondness for cats.


cats, felines, furry cat, pets, grey and white cat, house cat A perfectly posed cat. via Canva/Photos

Besides commending Istanbul for its feline-friendly atmosphere, people also shared their delight for the cat who “stole the show.”

“He KNEW this was about him. HIS moment! Lol,” one person wrote.

Another added, “that’s his background music, and he’s off on a big adventure.”

Another tapped into the cat’s POV, writing, “How lovely, the humans are playing me a song.”

Some even offered their best cats puns.

“I think it was trying to find the ‘purr-cussion’ section,” one person quipped.

Another said, “That is an ARISTOCAT.”

Istanbul might go above and beyond for its cats, but the respect we have for feline audacity is strong just about everywhere in the world.

This article originally appeared last year.

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