Dr Jo Blogs
Expert Cat Care Advice
Helping your cat cope & feel safe this firework season
AS FEATURED IN Your Cat magazine
Dr Jo Lewis MRCVS | 17 Sep 2021 | 10 min read
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Many of us cat people dread the beginning of autumn as it marks the run up to the fireworks period once again. Despite recent laws being passed to restrict the use of fireworks, people still let off fireworks indiscriminately in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night right through to New Year and beyond. In an ideal world all cats would be accustomed to loud, high pitched or sudden noises but some really do struggle to cope at this time of year. It's up to us as their carers to make them feel safe.
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My top stress busting tips for cats this firework season
Before the event
- Think ahead and start preparing early – at least at the beginning of October.
- Talk to your vet about your options. There are many helpful oral supplements available (eg Zylkene), some herbal remedies and even a special diet. Some may be more effective if started a few weeks in advance of any stressful events.
- Stock up on calming plug-in diffusers in advance. Plug in a Feliway Classic Diffuser in your cat's favourite room.
- Is your cat's identification up to date so you can trace them if they do manage to escape? A quick-release or break-away collar and tag as well as checking that their microchip is still working and in the right location! If you're at the vet get it scanned every time!
On the day of the event
- Ensure your cat is inside the house before dusk, and that windows and the cat flap is shut to prevent your cat from escaping.
- Restrict your cat to one area of the house, ideally somewhere where they normally feel comfortable (eg play, snooze) and a smaller space is easier for them to survey and feel in control of.
- Make a den by providing a quiet and comfy retreat for each cat, complete with an adjacent supply of food, water … and don’t forget a litter tray! A simple cardboard box on its side with a favourite blanket inside works purrfectly. Choose a spot your cat prefers - have a think about any spots your cat has chosen to hide in before when they've been avoiding the cat carrier, that spot-on flea treatment or a noisy visitor (eg under the bed, on top of a wardrobe etc).
- Offer additional hiding options at different heights – some cats prefer an elevated position, others ground level
- Leave them well alone until they feel safe to come out
- Mask the noisy bangs and sudden flashes. Close the curtains at dusk and put the TV or some relaxing background classical music at a volume to reduce the contrast between the explosions of noise.
- Avoid restraining and handling your cat. Allow your cat the freedom to choose where they feel most safe and allow them to settle there without too much fussing.
- Stay calm and act normally.
- Do not punish your cat for being anxious or cuddle and fuss them too much during the event either - you don't want to reinforce that fireworks are to be feared or make them feel out of control by being off the ground and unable to escape.
Create a safe zone for your cat
- Provide comfy bedding and places to hide, ideally in a room without too many windows.
- Encourage your cat to spend time in there – feed them there and build as many positive associations as you can (favourite toys, treats, fusses etc).
- Make sure there is a TV or stereo in the room so you can have some noise on as a distraction.
- Plug in a Feliway Classic diffuser at least a fortnight before the beginning of November, to give it time to take effect.
- On nights when the noises get bad, retreat to the safe zone.
- Make sure there are at least 2 closed doors between your cat and the outside of your house.
- Lock the cat flap and keep your cat inside with you (with access to a litter tray of course!).
- Have music or the TV on to muffle the noises from outside the house and close the curtains on any windows so that your cat is not startled by flashes.
Teach your cat to relax & desensitise them to scary sounds gradually
- When you see them laid down quietly, go over and reward them.
- Try to associate the feeling with a word, such as RELAX or CALM. If you can do it without disturbing them, stroke them gently. Long sweeping strokes from shoulders to tail are relaxing. Remember, short, fast movements are energizing and not ideal for relaxation.
- Don’t lean over your cat or push them out of the way but just sit or lie quietly beside them.
- Gradually introduce the scary sounds while your pet is in a relaxed state. Using a special scary sound CD can help as the sounds build up gradually, without any sudden noises that might agitate your cat.
Some mood boosters for your cat's shopping cart ...
These products are helpful extras only and intended as a supplement not a substitute for all the other suggestions above. By following the steps above and trying some of the products, you simply stand a greater chance of enhancing your cats feelings of security and control. Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no silver bullet, quick-fix for anxiety.. The closest you'll get to that is a prescription for a benzodiazepine (similar to Valium) from your vet, and in severely anxious cats this may be worth pursuing.
These products seem to help some animals but always check with your vet first and do not over use. "Natural" or "herbal" does not equal enhanced safety!
These products seem to help some animals but always check with your vet first and do not over use. "Natural" or "herbal" does not equal enhanced safety!
Calming pheromone environmental products
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Feliway Classic plug-in diffusers
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Herbal environmental products
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Warning: Pet Remedy spray contains herbs including clary sage. This should be completely avoided if you are pregnant! The valerian ingredient can have a catnip-like effect on some cats, so it may cause arousal and sometimes excited rubbing and sometimes love biting! Use it sparingly until you know how your cat reacts.
All environmental products (ie sprays and diffusers) should be used with caution in households with asthmatics (feline or human).
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"Natural" oral remedies
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Jo's EXPERT TIPS for helping cats cope with the stress of firework season have featured in Your Cat magazine
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