I dread the Fourth of July.
And New Year’s Eve.
And anytime the local NFL team wins a game.
Why?
Fireworks.
These explosions in the sky are terrifying for my cats, sending them into a panic that lasts for days and weeks even after the neighborhood has calmed down.
They shake.
They cry.
They have diarrhea everywhere.
Like I said, I dread the Fourth of July.
Why Fireworks are Scary for Cats
Fireworks are horrifying for animals. It’s no surprise that the holidays that they’re used on are also the same holidays the most animals go missing and have sudden heart attacks.
Your pet doesn’t know that it’s a holiday. They think the world is ending.
Think about it. If you heard loud booms outside and had no idea why or when they would end, wouldn’t you be scared?
And it’s not just the sounds. Many fireworks project bright flashes of unexpected light that can be seen even from within our homes.
Of course that’s scary for your cat.
What to Do if Your Cat is Scared of Fireworks
Some cats couldn’t care less about fireworks and go about their lives as if nothing is happening. Good for them.
But that isn’t the case for most cats. In fact, most kitties are scared of fireworks. Here’s how you can help yours if she doesn’t like them, either:
Give Her a Safe Space to Hide
As soon as my cats hear fireworks, they want to hide far away from the world. I don’t blame them! When you know fireworks are going to happen, set her up in her favorite room where she can feel safe and as far away from the noise as possible.
Stay Home with Her
Even if your cat wants to hide and be alone, you should still stay home to be with her. Your presence can bring her comfort and a sense of peace. Plus, as much as we hate to think about it, fireworks can cause animals to have heart attacks. You need to be there in case there is a medical issue for your cat, emergency vet numbers in hand.
Try to Drown Out the Noise
My go-to for during fireworks is to play music that I know my cats love (The Greatest Showman soundtrack is in our top albums on Spotify!). Even though it won’t take all of the noise away, having something else playing can help take the edge off of your cat’s fear.
Stick to Your Routine
The more you act like everything is normal, the more your cat will believe it. Here’s the thing—it’s not just during all of the loud booms and bangs that my cats are scared. They’re not themselves for weeks after. To help them get back to normal, I stick to my routine. This means playing with them, feeding them, and going about my business as usual. Cats read our cues. If we’re calm and reliable, they’ll start to trust their surroundings again.
Put Out Plenty of Food and Water
My cats act like they’re starving every time they’re stressed about fireworks. They eat double what they normally do, and drink more water than normal. That’s to be expected. To help them out, I make sure they always have plenty of food (within reason) and fresh water to enjoy. I also throw in a few extra treats!
Let Her Be
As much as I want to pick up my cats, snuggle them, and tell them it’s all going to be okay, I know that isn’t always what they want when they’re in the middle of a panic attack. Instead, I give them their space and let them come to me when they’re ready. It’s hard, but it’s for the best so that I don’t had any more stress to their situation.
Celebrate with Firework Alternatives that Are Animal Friendly
After seeing the way fireworks affect my cats, I will never celebrate with them again. It breaks my heart to think about all of the animals who suffer just because humans decided to have a holiday.
If you’re worried about your pets—or the countless community and wild animals who live outside—like I am, please consider celebrating in a different way. There are all kinds of things you can do like having your own party at home with friends inside, watching a favorite movie, or even attending a drone light show.
Whatever you choose, please let it be a kind option for our furry friends!
Pawsitive Purrpose 