Remember, remember…your cat during fireworks season
Whilst the celebrations can be great fun for people, cats can be left stressed out, confused or injured by fireworks. And apart from the obvious physical damage suffered through accidental contact with fireworks, cats can be badly affected by firework noise and lights.
Possible behavioural problems as a result of fear and stress could include house soiling or excessive grooming, whilst there is also the danger of a pet cat running away and never returning home.
- Keep your cat in after dark and ensure he has access to a litter tray.
- Try to reduce outside noise by keeping windows shut and curtains drawn. You may find that playing soothing music or having the TV on can also help. Try not to reinforce fearful behaviour by soothing and reassuring a cat that is looking anxious.
- While cats like to be settled in a cosy, familiar territory such as a comfy bed or favourite chair, when feeling scared they need safe places to hide. Ensure they can exhibit this natural behaviour by providing access to a hiding place, such as under the bed, an igloo-style cat bed or something simple like a cardboard box.
- Make sure all doors and windows are securely closed to prevent your cat from escaping the home.
- A Pheromone plug-in diffuser such as Feliway can be used to decrease anxiety and spraying and can have a beneficial effect in calming a cat during fireworks. However, you must start using it a couple of weeks before 5 November to maximise the benefit. It should be sited in the room in which your cat chooses to rest.
If you are having your own bonfire night celebration this year, then consider:
- Buying hand-held cascading fireworks rather than the noisier varieties.
- Holding a ‘silent’ fireworks display – many companies now offer quiet or almost silent fireworks – giving you the same spectacle without the loud bangs.
- Keeping fireworks and bonfire displays as far away from homes as possible, to minimise any adverse effects on animals indoors, although bear in mind the effect these displays will have on wild animals.
- Check bonfires before lighting them to ensure that no small animals are sleeping inside.