Shocks from dog

zebidee1

Why have I started getting an occasional shock when I go to clap the dog? Son gets it too but no-one else does.

It's not drastic but it's slightly annoying and I wonder if the dog feels it too?

He's in the back garden right now as the snow has fallen heavily and he's 'gone out to play' like an idiot. He's trying to dig out the door mat from the top outside step. :rotfl:

MCMitten

Must be something going about- i'm having the same problem with the cat!!??!!

Chocolate80

Doesn't the cold weather make static worse? That could be causing the shocks.

snowman2_2

I used to get a shock from my cat but only when I was wearing my fleece coat - not sure what shoes I had but the static build up transferred through my cats ear usually, through his body to the ground

bertiebots

I get shocks off my little staffy cross dog all the time and if it's dark you can actualy see a spark:eek:! I have had shocks off him and sparkes have belted between me and his nose ... poor guy:( He does feel it 'cos it makes him jump like I have just flicked him or something... I think its because of his smooth coat. I dont get shocks of our other doggy who has a long curly/frizzy/fluffy coat:) !
Maybe its caused by me too as I get shocks off all sorts of stuff and spent 2 years closing my old car door with my sleeve before we changed cars! Our current car doesnt seem too bad:rotfl:

Buttonmoons

That's so weird because I was just saying to OH earlier the past week or two I've been getting shocked by the cats when I stroke them!!

They deffo feel it!!

Fire_Fox

You are building up static and it is earthing on your cat or dog as they are low to the ground. Down to a combination of the soles of your footwear and the carpeting, both being man made fibres/ fabrics.

zebidee1

Chocolate80 wrote: »

Doesn't the cold weather make static worse? That could be causing the shocks.

I don't know if that's right or not but certainly it does seem to be worse on our colder days.

bertiebots wrote: »

He does feel it 'cos it makes him jump like I have just flicked him or something... I think its because of his smooth coat. I dont get shocks of our other doggy who has a long curly/frizzy/fluffy coat:) !

Harley is a lab, so smooth coat too, he doesn't appear to be bothered but there again he's so laid back about everything in this house generally that maybe he is and just isn't letting on.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You are building up static and it is earthing on your cat or dog as they are low to the ground. Down to a combination of the soles of your footwear and the carpeting, both being man made fibres/ fabrics.

Makes sense when you think about it but I'm always barefoot not even slippers or sock etc, the carpet is man made though.

Thanks for all the replies, I've not heard of this with pets before so although I feel sorry for your animals, I'm pleased we're not the only ones experiencing this.

chris_n_tj

This was on the news the other day. Its something to do with ions floating about in the cold weather. It charges the atmosphere and gives off electic shocks. I have been getting a shock off TJ for a few days now, but as I had seen the news I knew what it was.
Chris n TJ xx