Keeping Your Cats Safe from Fireworks Unless you just adopted your cats, you’ve lived through at least one bonfire night with your pet or pets. And, you probably noticed just how uncomfortable this evening was for your cat (and you may have noticed barking, whining, and other nervous behaviour from your neighbour’s pets). Only a few animals are truly comfortable with fireworks displays, and you probably will never have one of them. Instead, it’s about ensuring you keep your cats as safe and comfortable as possible during these displays. Why Are Cats Frightened of Fireworks Displays? It’s not just a matter of flashing lights and the crackle of fireworks in the sky for your pet. Animals are much more sensitive to changes in the atmosphere and air pressure than people are. (You’ll find your cats hiding long before it begins to thunder, won’t you?) The boom of fireworks is actually a sharp shift in the air pressure as explosives are sent into the sky. That’s frightening when you think about it... and you can understand what’s happening. For cats, it’s the triple threat of light bursts, loud noises, and air changes. And, you’re likely to find a cat on your lap, hiding under your bed, or cowering in the corner if there’s no other refuge. What Can You Do to Make Your Cats More Comfortable? There are a few things you can do to ensure your cats are as comfortable as possible on New Year’s Eve and other times of the year.
Make sure all the windows and doors leading to the exterior of your home are closed. This will keep your cats in and reduce the noises. Close the drapes, curtains, or blinds so cats aren’t distracted by visible flashing lights. Turn on the television or radio to dull the noises from outside. Create a low-lying den away from other pets and people where your cat can hide. If your cats come to you for comfort, offer it. However, don’t try to coax cats out of their hiding spaces; they simply won’t trust it and may become more nervous.
Remember that this is a particularly frightening event for your cats. It’s best to stay home if you can. Of course, that’s not always possible. However, if you should return home to some damage, remember that your pets were acting out of fear and severe distress, not trying to make you miserable.
Top Tips to Take Away:
Fireworks are particularly frightening for animals because they are more sensitive to changes in the air than we are. You should always make sure your pets are home and calm in the house before fireworks displays that you’re aware of. Try to shut your home off from the outdoors as much as possible. This will mitigate the distress for your animals though it won’t erase it completely. Allow your cats to express their fear in whichever way suits them best.
If you’re not home during fireworks displays, you shouldn’t be alarmed if your pets have damaged something in your absence. They have, understandably, been quite afraid.
For more information about caring for your cat please visit the Burgess Pet Care website http://www.burgesspetcare.com/your-pet/cats/