Why do cats run accross the street only when the car is coming?

by admin on October 27, 2009

Not all cats do that,but i saw many times a cat tried to run
accross the street while the car was coming close,not before.
Is it a kind of challenging or something?
Thanks.

Thanks for visiting. Your comments are always welcome!

{ 9 comments }

hudsongray October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

It’s not a challenge. Sound bounces differently down low to the ground and a cat’s head is only 10" or so above the ground. What seems far away can get confusing when the engine sounds get closer and they try darting in the direction that seems safe, but which often is actually in front of the car. Sound in the road isn’t hitting anything and being deflected, but sound going at right angles and oblique angles from the engine are louder as they bounce back from standing objects.

I’ve seen cats run directly at farm tractors till their eyes catch up with what they’re actually seeing, then they veer off suddenly and dash away. It’s all about the way they hear.

livn4themin October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Trying to see how many more lives it has I guess.

slouscher October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Idk he will only have 8 lives then

mojojonji October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

It gets spooked and is trying to run towards a location that it knows is safe, regardless of the danger that a car presents.

Tebs October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

It’s because the car is coming, they don’t want to wait, they only walk when there is no car in sight !

COUNTRY--GIRL October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

cats get confused some times and most dont know what to do when a car is coming but run since they don’t like the sound so the fastest and direct is straight a head so that means across the street.

Area Woman October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

My dad noticed one night that, when cats run, they look like they have 8 legs. I laughed out loud when I saw the cat bus in "My Neighbor Totoro". Anyway, cats saunter when there’s nothing going on and bolt when there is danger. They can see the cars coming. I think cats who get hit get hit by speeders.

If you are driving and see a cat try to get in the street, toot your horn. It will train them to stop going into traffic.

dafr2 October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Cats tend to freak out a bit. More than likely they see the car, panick and run.

wyomugs October 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Cats are not the only ones. Other animals do, too. I cannot stand it… especially when they are PERFECTLY OKAY where they WERE, but then, for SOME insane reason try to "escape" by heading straight for the danger they are being scared away from!

I’ve hit the "usual" animals (deer, rabbits, skunk, racoon, birds), but add to my score owls, pheasants.

So far, to my knowledge, I have NOT hit any cats or dogs. But my driving career isn’t done yet!

The animal I hate the most are the DEER. I can’t STAND their attitude… they stand in the middle of the road, looking at you with the attitude, "WHAT the HELL are YOU doing in MY road?"

The animal with the most "sympathy" from me are the MICE!!! I’ve got to give it to them… they, and their little legs, are running at TOP SPEED …. SCURRY…SCURRY… SCURRY!! … across the roadway to TRY and get to the other side! I Do try to miss them.. because they are TRYING SO HARD, poor things.

Have a "meowy" day.

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