Fight Feline Firework Fears
It’s almost the 4th of July, and you know what that means! Tons of fun with fireworks, grilling out with friends, feeling awkward about celebrating while our government does awful stuff, not celebrating because of fireworks and the awful stuff our government does, etc.
While all of that might sound like a lot of fun to some, fireworks can cause a lot of folks (like myself) a great deal of stress due to things like anxiety disorders, PTSD, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Similarly, fireworks often terrify our pets, who have absolutely no clue why explosions are going off all around them.
What can we do about it?
Though most humans can take care of themselves, you may wish to check in on your friends and see how they are doing during this or any holiday. Holidays can be a lot to deal with!
But we’re here to talk about cats, and you can’t just ask them how they’re doing. I mean, you can, but they'll just stare right through you like always, as if gazing into the eyes of a ghostly figure who yearns for release from their prison of flesh and bone.
Anyway, let’s talk about some strategies and products that will help your cats feel safe and secure during fireworks or pretty much any other loud and chaotic activity! (thunderstorms, parties, construction, cleaning, moving, etc.)
Strategies that Soothe
Desensitize Your Darlings - Some folks recommend trying to desensitize your cats to the sound of fireworks by playing the sound of fireworks over speakers in your home, increasing the volume gradually, making sure not to upset them. While this may help less anxious cats, it won’t fully replicate the sound and the sensation of firework shockwaves, and may not work for all cats
Keep Your Cuties Confined! It should go without saying, but don't let any of your pets outside during the 4th of July or any other holiday involving fireworks. Every year, shelters are overrun with pets who have run away from home after being terrified by fireworks. While you’re at it, make sure your cats are chipped or at least have a collar with a tag containing your contact info. I mean, if I were you I wouldn't let my cat outside at all unless on a leash or in a supervised, cat-safe enclosure, but we’re not talking about me right now
Close Windows, Blinds, and Curtains - I don’t have any clever alliteration for this one, but it’s important! If your windows are closed, your cutie won't be able to see the fireworks or hear them as well. They also won't be able to bolt out of the window after they rip the screen open in a panic because we like to celebrate by blowing stuff up
Secure a Safe Space - This should be somewhere your cats regularly hang out. An interior room away from windows would be best, but the most important thing is for them to feel safe and secure, so don't worry about it too much as long as those windows are shut and covered. Remember to provide your cats with litter boxes, food, and water
Fashion a Feline Fallout Shelter - With the 4th just days away and some folks already starting their celebration, you're probably going to need to DIY something with objects you have lying around. Since we currently have six cats, we use a few different types of shelter to make sure that all of our kitties are feeling safe and sound. Here are some ideas for giving your sweethearts a break from the noise
Build a Bed Bunker - I like to use extra blankets and my yoga mat to line the floor and create a seal around the sides of my bed, leaving a couple of small entryways. This in combination with the mattress creates a pretty great soundproofed bunker
Create a Closet Cave - Loosely roll up an exercise mat and place it in your closet with one of the open sides facing the door. If you don't have one, you can use a cardboard box placed on its side. Drape some blankets or towels over the top and put one inside for cushioning. Put your cats inside just to show them where it is, and leave the closet door cracked. I did this a few years ago, and though my cats seemed uninterested at first, they ran right in the second they heard the first boom! This shelter isn't necessarily the best choice since your cat will only have one escape route, but it'll do in a pinch
Construct a Cardboard Cabin - If you have some cardboard boxes lying around, (thx Amazon) you can turn them into cute little homes that aren’t as big of an eyesore. Cut the flaps off a box, put it inside a t-shirt with the head hole over the center of the opening, this will be the entryway. Tie the bottom of the t-shirt to secure it to the box, and tuck the sleeves in. Place a blanket or towel in the bottom for bedding and you’ve just made a cozy DIY cat cabin! Bonus points if you use a worn t-shirt to add your comforting scent. For extra soundproofing, put some insulation between the t-shirt and box, such as packing materials (make sure they are safe for your cat), more clothing, or place a small box inside of a larger box to create an air gap between them. If you have a nice puffy coat lying around, you might use that instead of a t-shirt to cover the box. Check out this video tutorial for details on how to make a basic t-shirt version
Suppress the Sound - Now that you’ve found your safe room, stocked it with all of the essentials, and built a cozy cutie cave, it’s time to get rid of any remaining noise that may penetrate your sanctuary
White Noise - Just about any white noise machine will help, even just a regular fan, but my all-time favorite is the same thing used by many doctors and therapists to provide privacy when speaking to patients. It’s also what lets me sleep in when my cats are screaming for breakfast at 7 am on a Saturday and there is no chance I’m getting up for at least another 2 hours. That’s right, it’s the Marpac Dohm Classic - it was created in 1962, it contains an actual fan instead of a digital loop of one, and you can’t beat it
Music - Play some calming tunes at a comfortable level to help cover up the booms and bangs, but don’t blast it! I’m a huge fan of David Teie’s Music for Cats. Both albums are great and you can play them anytime you want to soothe your sweeties.
Comforting Conversation - You may not want to admit it, but I know you talk to your cats all of the time. The thing is, they love it and can often understand the meaning behind our words, if not the words themselves. Speak in a calm, soft voice and try to be casual when moving about the room. Do not attempt to hold or pet your cat unless you’re certain they want you to. Just be ready for them to tear off heckin’ fast the second they hear a big one!
Play Away the Panic - Though your cats may be in no mood to play, it doesn’t hurt to ask! Check out my previous article for some of my favorite toys
Massacre Misery with Massage - Lots of cats love a good massage. The key is doing it right, which is different for every cat. Read my article on petting cats for some quick tips on gaining trust before attempting massage. I massage my cats all the time, it’s my secret for getting them to like me better than anyone else, so shhhhh, don’t tell
It’s important that you are relaxed and calm. Speak to your cat with a soft voice and slowly pet them however they usually like you to
Once they are relaxed, try gently massaging the muscles around their neck, head, and shoulders. Most cats will especially love some rubbing along their cheeks and forehead
Run your fingers along either side of the spine, slowly and with some pressure on the muscles on each side, not the bones themselves. Keep a close eye on your cat and stop if they show any signs of discomfort like turning to face your hand suddenly or twitching their skin and tail
Products that Pacify
Melvin relaxes in a ray of sunshine, a much calmer cat when wearing his Thundershirt
Feliway diffusers - Place them around your home, at least one per room (more if it's a large, open room) in areas where your cat frequently hangs out. These will help most cats feel a bit calmer and secure. They take up to a week to be fully effective
Thundershirts - Most folks have heard of this method for calming dogs, but it can work on cats as well! Keep in mind that not all cats will immediately tolerate wearing one, so be patient if it takes time for your cat to adjust. This can be approached just like leash training. Start by putting the shirt on during meals and for short, supervised periods. Don’t forget to give a treat afterward!
Calming Treats - Some folks report success with calming treats, but they don’t work for everyone, so its best to use them as only part of your solution
Herbal Remedies - Some herbs can help calm certain cats from the scent alone, while others must be ingested
Catnip works on most cats and can even calm some. Just make sure to test it out ahead of time because it gives a lot of cats the zoomies!
Valerian root can have similar effects to catnip, but will typically have a more calming effect, which is exactly what we’re looking for
Bach’s Rescue Remedy - Some folks report success with this product, and there’s also a version for humans
Medication - If your cat has moderate to severe anxiety, you may wish to consider speaking with your vet about medication to keep your cat from freaking out
Though you may never be able to fully take away the stress your cat experiences during the 4th, you’ll see a huge difference if you follow even a few of my suggestions, and keep in mind that these same methods can be used to keep your cats calm during any stressful and chaotic situation.
Get Help
If you’d like my guidance and support for this or anything else cat-related, contact me or schedule a consultation!
Have any tips or tricks of your own or a story you’d like to share? Do you have some questions about this article or a completely different behavioral issue that I haven’t addressed? Please let me know in the comments!
