We're having a thunderstorm now in northeast Illinois. I forgot she always does this, but at the first sign of lightning and thunder, my Lily took off for the basement. She'll stay down there for the duration. I have joked that she must have taken a tornado preparedness class at some point.
It's funny because Lily is my most fearless cat, and the dominant one (and the smallest at under 8lbs.). The others don't react to the storms much at all. The only thing I can figure is she must have had a really bad experience with a storm or two when she was a stray (as were all my cats).
Do any of your cats react like this? I feel bad for her that she goes down there by herself, which she otherwise never does. She must be scared, but I don't know what I can do for her.
Robin
It's funny because Lily is my most fearless cat, and the dominant one (and the smallest at under 8lbs.). The others don't react to the storms much at all. The only thing I can figure is she must have had a really bad experience with a storm or two when she was a stray (as were all my cats).
Do any of your cats react like this? I feel bad for her that she goes down there by herself, which she otherwise never does. She must be scared, but I don't know what I can do for her.
Robin
as you since we live so close. Perla, Perkins and Presley are new to storms since they are only about nine months old. Presley doesn't seem to mind storms and takes on Pipsqueaks reaction to storms. BUT Perla and Perkins are quite frightened. They would really have no reason or no previous experience either. Perla always runs to the basement too, like your Lily. Perkins hides under my bed, which he never otherwise goes under the bed. I just try to talk to them soothingly and have found out the laser works for Perkins to get him to come out for a few minutes but as soon as he hears the thunder, off he goes. Perla hides downstairs in the cat tree carpeted hideaway. She won't budge. But I can tell she feels safe in that, so I leave her be. I am hoping they will get over this fear. I have never had cats before that react to storms like these two do. 
