Factcheck this: Cats and dogs can predict earthquakes.

Question

Tributsch argued that because animals have drier body surfaces than humans (they do not sweat as we do), they are more susceptible to such electrostatic charges. Because of that, dogs and cats can predict earthquakes.

Answer 1

This claim is fake; cats and dogs cannot predict earthquakes. There is no conclusive scientific evidence behind this claim. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs or cats could react before an earthquake comes, but it is not proven that it is because of an oncoming earthquake. Some scientists think it could be the animals could be sensing foreshock or acoustic waves. It could be predicted that they are hearing the high-pitched underground seismic activity. An article by the USGS states that other animals, such as rats, weasels, snakes, and centipedes, have been reported to leave their homes and head for safety several days before a destructive earthquake. There is no proof that this is the animals predicting an earthquake. Although your animals may act weird before an earthquake, there is no scientific proof that this is the animal predicting an earthquake. 

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/can-animals-predict-earthquakes

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/can-dogs-predict-earthquakes/ 

Answer 2

This claim is false. Although there have been reports of animals, as far back as 373 B.C.E., showing anxiety or behaving strangely before an earthquake, according to an article from the American Kennel Club, “there’s no conclusive scientific evidence yet that dogs can predict tremors.” Some scientists believe that they could be sensing foreshocks, smaller waves, or noises generated from underground rock movement. Given this, it’s probable that dogs are only reacting to the small changes underground that occur right before an earthquake that humans simply cannot detect. In addition, a study was performed that correlated a smaller dog’s head size to a higher sensitivity when it came to high-frequency seismic sounds. This study also found that out of 14 dogs in the study that had a hearing impairment, thirteen of them did not show higher levels of anxiety. 

Apart from anecdotal evidence, there is also no hard evidence to say that cats can “predict” earthquakes. Like dogs, cats have much better hearing than humans, which allows them to be more aware of the slightest sounds underground. On top of this, their sensitive paws and whiskers allow them to pick up on the tiniest of vibrations. 

So no, cats, dogs, and other animals are not able to predict earthquakes, but rather, they are able to pick up on them much earlier than humans are. With their strong hearing abilities and their sensitivity to higher frequency sounds, they are great at detecting seismic activity.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/can-dogs-predict-earthquakes/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201205/can-dogs-predict-earthquakes

https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/can-cats-sense-earthquakes/