Why do my cats hate it when I sneeze? (kitten, laser, safe)

[leroyleroux]

Both of my cats have a weird reaction anytime I sneeze. Almost like that one where they see a bird close or something, and kind of chatter their teeth. They do that with the laser light too. But this one seems like they are mad about it. Thoughts?

[Garden of Eden]

My guess, is that because a cat's ears are so so so sensitive, that the abrupt and loud sneeze is actually hurting their ears. That's why they act mad.

[Ketabcha]

Interesting. My cats don't like for me to sneeze, either. I think it scares them.

[catman]

Agreed. The abrupt loud, explosive noise does scare them.

[BriInNH]

The loud, abrupt noise of the sneeze.

AND especially the "shhh" associated with a sneeze. cats do not like loud high pitched noises or hissing sounds, especially.

[Autumn11]

My cat (luCy) is about six years old and makes the same chatter type noise when I sneeze ...she's done it since I had her as a kitten and she's my first pet.

I really don't think the sneezing hurts her ears because there are much louder noises she's encountered without her reaction and also, she does it when I clear my throat (a-hem, a-hem) ...or even when I cough. She doesn't make the chatter noise everytime -especially when I try to demonstrate for someone ...but she does it more often than not.

And it also doesn't matter where she is -across the room in a chair, laying next to me or on my lap. She'll even 'remark' (with minimal effort) when she's half awake - so all this time I just thought it's her concern for my behalf...

So like the OP, I'm just as curious, anyone know what this could all be about?

[chaseystarz]

I think it has to do with the weird noise we make when we sneeze. My Ami cat will go BRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH loudly when you sneeze, even if she's a few rooms away from you. Sneezes even wake her up too.

[CrowGirl]

One of my cats does the chatter when I sneeze and the other couldn't care less. They are brother and sister, so I guess it's just one of those personality things.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Just one of those things.

One of our cats splits post-haste for the tall timber when she hears someone getting ready to sneeze.

The other continues to snooze.

Just a cat thang.



I am not convinced lasers are safe toys for cats. Or dogs or children or adolescents either.

[KatrineA]

I hate it when my cat sneezes ON me. Yuck.