How to help your cat with their fear of fireworks.

Fear of loud noises is common in cats as well as dogs, in the 2018 PDSA PAW report 34% of cat owners reported that their pets were scared of fireworks.  

If your cat is one of the many pets who struggle with noise sensitivity, here are our top tips to help them stay calm. 

1. Create a safe space 

Make sure they have a safe, cosy hiding space to curl up in. Something as simple as a cardboard box lined with their blankets can make a comfy hiding-hole for an anxious kitty. 

Some pets might hide behind sofas or under the bed when they’re scared of thunder and other loud noises, give them the space to do so and they will come back out in their own time. 

You can also turn on the TV or radio to provide a distraction and drown out any scary outdoor sounds. In our cattery, we find that playing calming, classical music can provide comfort to anxious kitties. Why not pop the radio and see if this works for your pet too?  

2. Keep them inside  

If you know that your outdoor cat is nervous of fireworks, call them in long before any celebrations start up, and don’t let them out again that night.  

If they’re a bit of an escape artist, make sure all doors, windows, and cat flaps are secure as they might try to flee out of fear.  

You can also try calming pheromone sprays and plugins which we find very effective in calming scared cats. Set up the plugin or start using the spray on their bedding a few days before any firework celebrations to create a calming atmosphere for them.  

3. Keep microchips up-to-date 

More than anything, it’s important to ensure that your cat’s microchip details are up-to-date so that they can more easily find their way back to you if they do escape.  

When a cat comes into our care with outdated contact information on their chip, or no chip at all, it makes it much harder to find and return them to their families. Keep those details up-to-date and keep them safe! 

5. Stay together 

Don’t leave your cat home alone if you can avoid it during firework celebrations. Scared animals often try to escape and can end up hurting themselves. 

They might also come to you for comfort. If they are looking for a little reassurance, don’t ignore them but instead react calmly and give them cuddles and attention. They will thank you for it! 

Our pets are very attuned to human emotions; you might have noticed them trying to comfort you when you’ve been sad. Talk to them as you normally would and try not to make any drastic changes to your behaviour. This will help them realise that there is nothing to fear. 

6. Have fun! 

Keep your pet busy as you sit out the celebrations. Why not try out a fun enrichment activity like playing with their favourite toys, offering some catnip, a lick-mat, or a feeder puzzle.  

However, if your pet is too scared of the noise to play, don’t force them. Give them the space they need to process their emotions in their own way.