How to talk to cats about electric cars

Our cats are facing a new challenge. Even street-savvy cats can be caught unawares by electric cars, and as pet owners, we should educate them about these silent ‘predators’.

A friend who lives in Germany recently noticed that her cats did not recognize the dangers of electric vehicles. Her cats are pretty savvy and know that they should stay away from traffic, but the silence of electric cars confused them.
As more and more people are driving electric vehicles (EVs) she asked me, “What can I do to educate my cats so they know it’s the same danger?”
Looking at an issue through an animal’s eyes, instead of our eyes, is always interesting.
Firstly, we have to get very clear when talking to animals and remember to ask for the behavior we want. You might think you’re already doing so, but how often do people say, “Don’t bark!” to a noisy dog? Instead, if they said, “Be quiet, be calm,” that subtle change makes a huge difference because the dog knows what to deliver. The word “don’t” has no translation in the language of energy and is best avoided in animal communication.
So, how can you educate your cats about the dangers of electric cars? This is a two-fold question.

Predators vs prey

Cats are hunters and predators; they know that world. If you give them the energy or picture of an electric car as a predator with the power to run over them and kill them, they will get it. Cats have lived with us long enough to be familiar with the dangers of traffic on the street. We simply have to adjust their perception of this ‘silent’ threat.

Every cat perceives the world differently

What is your cat’s primary way of registering danger? Take a moment to ponder how your cat perceives a car. Are they sensitive to the rumble of the petrol engine? If so, encourage them to switch from listening to looking.
You could even sit by the road with your cat and show them the approach of electric cars and remind them this is still a predator, it just sounds different from petrol vehicles. You could also give your cat the sense that these vehicles only drive on the roadway; they won’t chase after them like a typical predator. The footpath, or nature strip is safe territory.

Driver approaching ― be alert!

Additionally, as a driver, you may wonder how to warn animals to stay out of your path. Perhaps you’ve recently purchased an EV and have had some near misses. Can you be an energy that repels animals from the road? Are you willing to step up your energetic field and be noticeable in a totally different way?
In the past, we have forced animals to adapt to our changing ways. Instead, why not help them adjust to this new way of ‘predators’ approaching?

Creating a stronger bond with your animal occurs in your daily interactions. For personalized tools, you can use this link to book a private session with Suzy!