With the arrival of New Year’s Eve, joy and excitement often intertwine with another omnipresent element during this period: the loud noises of fireworks and firecrackers. While we eagerly await the moments of celebration, our furry friends, especially cats and dogs, can experience considerable anxiety due to these unexpected explosions. In this article, you will discover 10 tips on how to protect your cat from firework bangs and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
We’ve addressed this issue in a previous article, but now let’s specifically look at what can be done to help your cat smoothly navigate the night between the years.
10 Tips to Protect Your Cat from Firework Bangs and Firecrackers
Protecting your cat from the loud noises produced by fireworks and firecrackers on New Year’s Eve can help reduce its stress and anxiety levels.
Create a Safe Space
Ensure a safe and comfortable space in the house where your cat can retreat in case it is frightened by the noise of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year’s Eve. This place can be a box, a crate, or a quiet room where it feels secure.
Close Windows and Draw Curtains
Close windows and draw curtains to minimize the noises and light caused by fireworks. You can also use blinds or thick curtains.
Ambient Sounds
Play ambient sounds or music to mask the loud noises from outside. For example, you can play carols at a higher volume to drown out the sounds coming from outside the house. This is a good method to protect your cat from fireworks.
Stay Near Your Cat
Spend time with your cat during periods of loud noise. Your presence can provide comfort and security. However, if the cat is scared and wants to sneak into a shelter or hiding place in the house, do not prevent it from doing so.
Use Pheromones
There are special pheromones for cats (apaisine pheromones) in the form of diffusers or sprays that can help calm the animal. You can find a variety of these products in pet shops and veterinary pharmacies.
Toys and Distraction
Provide your cat with its favorite toys and create entertaining activities to distract its attention and focus on other things.
Veterinary Visits
If you know that your cat is highly sensitive to noises, discuss with the veterinarian about temporary calming options or medications recommended in such situations.
Proper Identification
Ensure that your cat has proper identification (microchip) in case it reacts anxiously and tries to run away. This is highly recommended if you live in a house, and your cat has access to the yard. It is strongly advised not to let cats outside on New Year’s Eve, as it is the night when most cats and dogs go missing, scared by the bangs of fireworks and firecrackers.
Pre-training
You can try pre-training your cat to desensitize it to loud noises using recordings of the sounds and rewarding it with treats or positive attention.
Professional Consultation
Consult a veterinary behaviorist or a specialist in pet behavior for additional advice, especially if the anxiety issue is persistent.
In conclusion, it is crucial to protect your cat from the bangs of fireworks and firecrackers. The anxiety caused by the loud bangs of firecrackers can lead to agitated behavior, trembling, hiding, or seeking safe places to hide. In many cases, strokes, heart attacks, or irreversible neurological problems may occur.
