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The new year is just around the corner and the pyrotechnic celebrations that come with it. Dogs are most infamous for their firework freakouts, but lots of animals may be afraid of the loud noises and fiery flashes in the sky–horses, livestock, wildlife, and, of course, cats. If you’re reading this article, you already know that many cats are scared of fireworks and all the other explosive expressions of joy that people set off at certain times of year. Or for no apparent reason at all. You can’t do much about the loud people, but there are steps you can take to calm your cat.
Desensitization
Fireworks are loud. Really loud. Especially for our cats, whose hearing is much more sensitive than ours. Fireworks also flash like lightning, rain fire from the sky, and leave a burnt, smoky aroma hanging in the air. The sound, sight, and smell can all be frightening to animals [4, 6]. The same goes for smaller explosives like firecrackers and sparklers. When you know a pyrotechnic holiday is coming up, you can prepare your cat by desensitizing them to the sounds so that the real thing won’t be such an overwhelming experience [3, 5, 6, 8]. You can also adapt this technique for cats who are afraid of thunderstorms.
While your cat is nice and relaxed, play audio of fireworks at a low volume nearby. If your cat walks away or acts distressed, turn it off and try again another time. If your cat remains calm, give them a treat. The next day, do it again with the volume a little bit louder. If the volume ever starts to stress your cat out, you’ll need to go down to a lower volume and work back up. Keep going until the volume is as high as you feel comfortable taking it. Only play the firework audio for a few minutes at a time, at most ten, and keep in mind that it is much louder for your cat than it is for you! [3, 5, 6, 8]
Make a Safe Space
Desensitization exercises don’t fully simulate the experience of explosions in the sky all over the neighborhood, so expect your cat to still be scared of fireworks, just not as frantically. By providing a place for your cat to hide, they can feel safe riding out the noisy night [1, 4-7]. If your cat already has a favorite hiding spot, this could be as simple as stocking that nook with food, water, a litter box, and a comfy blanket [6]. If your cat doesn’t have a favorite place to hide or reacts to fireworks by running around in a panic, you have more work to do. Basically, you need to make the best hiding box ever.
You could use a cardboard box, a crate, anything like that. Put it in a part of the home that your cat already likes to spend a lot of time in. Cover it with a towel or blanket to muffle sound and block out the flashes of light. Put food, water, and litter box either inside or very nearby. Make it nice and cozy with a blanket or cat bed to snuggle down into. Toss a favorite toy or two inside. They’re comfortingly familiar even if kitty doesn’t feel like playing. [1, 4, 5, 7]
You may need to entice your cat to check out the new hiding box. Cats are cautious about new things in their environment. Giving kitty treats and even feeding them inside are good ways to tell your cat that this place means good things.
Line Up Your Tools
Some cats are more scared of fireworks than others, and they may need a little extra help. If you think your cat’s firework anxiety might need medication management, talk to your veterinarian. They may recommend an over-the-counter supplement for cases that aren’t quite so drastic. Zylkene is a common choice for a cat who is scared of fireworks [4, 5]. Calming pheromone sprays like Feliway can also be helpful [4, 5, 7], as can CBD products like anti-anxiety treats. If your cat has severe firework anxiety, however, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription anxiety medication [1, 5, 6, 8].
On the Night of Bombardment
There are several things you can do to make things easier on your pet when you know the pyrotechnics are coming. The most important thing is to keep your cat indoors, even if they normally stay outside [1, 4, 5, 7, 8]! Keep your windows, doors, and cat flaps closed, too [4, 5, 8]. Panicked cats often try to escape whatever is scaring them, and they can end up running far from home [1, 4, 8]. Make sure your cat is microchipped in case the worst happens and they do get out [1, 7, 8].
Close your blinds/curtains to block out the flashes [4, 8]. To muffle the noise, play music, turn on the TV, or put on white noise [1, 4, 8]. You could try music for cats to see if your kitty finds that soothing [4]. Do your best to behave normally yourself to give the impression that nothing is amiss [4, 6]. If your cat hides, drop by occasionally to offer calming words, pets if they want them, but don’t try to make your cat leave their hiding spot [4-7]. If your cat seems scared of the fireworks but stays out in the open, you can try playing with them to distract them [4-6].
Cats may engage in destructive behaviors when they’re scared [6, 8]. Never punish or yell at your cat for something they do while frightened [1, 8]. They won’t understand and will only feel more unsafe. You want to radiate calmness during this stressful event, even if your cat does something frustrating.
Boom = Treat
If your cat is food-motivated, this game may work well to distract them and teach them to associate fireworks with something positive. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Keep plenty of kitty’s favorite treats nearby or on your person during the fireworks. Every time there’s an explosion, give your cat a treat and tell them how very brave they are. It’s not unusual for cats to refuse food when stressed, so use your best judgement on whether this technique makes sense for your cat. [2, 3]
Have a multi-pet household? Below are the RSPCA’s top tips for helping all pets cope with fireworks.
Works Cited
- Galaxy, J. [Jackson Galaxy]. (2020, June 24). Keep your animal family safe and sane during fireworks and other holiday celebrations [Video]. YouTube. https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blog/keep-cats-dogs-safe-calm-sane-during-fireworks-and-holiday-celebrations/
- Horberg, M. (2022, June 30). Paws & play newsletter [Email]. Preventive Vet.
- Horberg, M. (2022, December 14). Paws & play newsletter [Email]. Preventive Vet.
- Johnson-Bennett, P. (n.d.). Tips for calming your cat during fireworks. Cat Behavior Associates. https://catbehaviorassociates.com/tips-for-calming-your-cat-during-fireworks/
- Madson, C. (2022, November 11). Getting your dog ready for the 4th of July. Preventive Vet. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/get-your-dog-ready-for-4th-of-july
- Medina, G. (2022, June 29). Expert tips to keep your pets calm during July 4th fireworks. Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/pets/expert-tips-to-keep-your-pets-calm-during-july-4th-fireworks-a7799972004/
- RSPCA. (n.d.). Pets and fireworks. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks
- Vets Now. (2020, October 21). How do fireworks affect cats and how do I help my scared cat? https://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/how-do-fireworks-affect-cats/
Published December 19th, 2022
