Friday, July 1, 2016

10 Ways to Keep Your Cat Calm On July 4th (Because They Can't Wear Ear Plugs!)

A couple weeks ago Mudpie was napping in her KatKabin during a thunderstorm. When a particularly strong rumble of thunder rolled through she shot out of her cozy spot like an atomic bomb had gone off. It was a good reminder that she wasn't with me for the majority of last summer so I have no idea how she'll react to other loud noises like fireworks, and here we are at the beginning of a long holiday weekend filled with Independence Day festivities. (And if your neighborhood kids are anything like mine, celebrate early and often seems to be their motto.)

Statistics show that more pets go missing during the July 4th holiday than any other time of year, and July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animals shelters nationwide. Sadly, fewer than 2% of  lost cats are ever reunited with their families.


Holidays are supposed to be fun, not scary, so we've put together a few tips to help ensure that both you and your cat enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday together:

1. Distractions are key: Play music, run a fan or AC, turn on the TV or radio.

2. Playtime! A rousing play session before events begin can help kitty relax and might even tire them out! This would be a good occasion to break out a brand new toy too.

3. Keep your cat inside. (Of course, this goes without saying any day of the year.)

4. Stay home with them if possible; they will feel safer with you around.

5. Keep calm and quiet yourself to ensure your cat that all is well and normal in their little world.

6. Make sure they have a safe place in your home to hide away stockpiled with their favorite bedding, toys and treats. Don't forget the litter box!

7. Lower the blinds and close the windows (make sure they're secure!) to limit the amount of light and sound they're exposed to.

8. Be prepared for the worst-case scenario by making sure your cat's microchip and/or ID tags are up to date. Current photos are a good idea too.

9. If you have friends over, make sure they know you have pets in the house and ask that they help keep them safe.

10. Consider a calming remedy: Thundershirts, Feliway plug-ins, flower esssences such as Stress Stopper or Storm Soother, even something as simple as calming treats can be very effective.

How do you plan to protect your pet this weekend?

Do you have any July 4th horror stories to share?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I stay home on July 4th - and New Years Eve - for that very reason. My neighborhood is the same way about fireworks and the noise freaks out Simon and BobbieSue. Toby ignores the noise. I don't know how PeggySue and MerryBelle will act - but I'm thinking being former outdoor kitties, they will go into hiding as well. Thanks for the reminders!

The Menagerie Mom said...

These are wonderful tips, Mudpie and Melissa! I always stay home on the 4th of July, and certainly do plan on keeping my furbabies inside. However, truth be told, none of my furbabies have ever shown any fear of fireworks. They simply don't seem to care. My cats all love to chase lights, and I've discovered they even find watching lightning and fireworks out the window to be quite fun.

Purrs!

Unknown said...

Great tips! Fortunately, our neighborhood is pretty quiet, even on the 4th. If it wasn't, our cats would not be happy with the noise! Have a great holiday!

Anonymous said...

My dogs are more afraid than the cats. Our neighborhood used to be bad due to a few who showed no consideration for others, even though fireworks are illegal in our area. It has been quieter, recently, maybe because a policeman now lives in the neighborhood.

Cathy Keisha said...

When I hear loud noises, I look to see how TW is reacting. If she jumps or seems scared, I get scared. When she hears fireworks, she runs to the window to watch so I know she's enjoying it. That's how she's kept me calm during the jackhammering and pneumatic drilling under our window.

pilch92 said...

Great tips! I will be inside with my kitties with the a/c on and windows shut so hopefully they won't be upset.

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...

Great tips...especially distractions with music or white noise!

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

We'll all be home and we sure hope that the neighbors don't set off rockets like they have in the past this 4th of July.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

mudpie....total lee grate post....we haz been reservin spotz for UTB all week sew once de noize getz a goin....thatz wear we will be { all but boomer; him loosed
his heerin }

heerz two a flagfin happee 4th kinda week oh end…..see ya twooz day ♥♥♥

Three Chatty Cats said...

Very good tips! Luckily my cats have never been too bothered by the fireworks.

diannekc said...

Great tips, Mudpie. I turn on my A/C and close all the windows and keep the TV on for both me and my cat, Ms. Mouser.

diannekc said...

Great tips, Mudpie. I turn on my A/C and close all the windows and keep the TV on for both me and my cat, Ms. Mouser.

diannekc said...

Great tips, Mudpie. I turn on my A/C and close all the windows and keep the TV on for both me and my cat, Ms. Mouser.

The Island Cats said...

If it gets really loud, the mom ends up closing all the doors and windows so we won't be scared. Around here, they've already started with the loud boomies...even during the day!

The Swiss Cats said...

Those are great tips ! Our 4th of July is on 1st of August : we stay inside, Claire turns TV on, and closes the windows. They go outside for a while to watch the fireworks, but we remain inside. Purrs