As New Year's Eve approaches, the joy and excitement is often intertwined with another ubiquitous element during this time: the loud noises of firecrackers and fireworks. While we look forward to the festive season, our furry friends, especially cats and dogs, can experience considerable anxiety from these unexpected outbursts. In this article you will see 10 tips on how to protect your cat from the bangs of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's Eve.
I have addressed this issue before in one older article, but now let's see exactly what needs to be done so that the cat gets through the night between years without trauma.
10 tips to protect your cat from fireworks and firecrackers
Protecting your cat from the loud noises of firecrackers and fireworks on New Year's Eve can help reduce her stress and anxiety levels.
Create a safe space
It provides a safe and comfortable place in the house for the cat to retreat to in case it is frightened by the noise of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's Eve. This place can be a box, a cage or a quiet room where he feels safe.
Close the windows and draw the curtains
Close the windows and draw the curtains to minimize the noise and light from the fireworks. You can also use shutters or thick curtains.
Ambient sounds
Play ambient sounds or music to mask loud outside noises. For example, you can play carols at a higher volume to drown out the sound coming from outside the house. It's a good way to protect your cat from fireworks.
Sit next to the cat
Spend time with the cat during noisy periods. Your proximity can provide comfort and safety. Be careful though, if the cat is scared and wants to sneak into a shelter or hiding place in the house, don't stop it from doing so.
It uses pheromones
There are special pheromones for cats (apazine pheromones) in the form of diffusers or sprays, which can help calm the animal. In pet shops and veterinary pharmacies you can find quite a large range of products of this kind.
Toys and fun
Give your cat favorite toys and create fun activities to distract him and focus on other things.
Veterinarian visits
If you know your cat has an increased sensitivity to noise, talk to your vet about temporary calming options or recommended medications in such situations.
Correct identification
Make sure the cat has proper identification (microchip) in case it reacts anxiously and tries to run away. This is a highly recommended method if you live at home and your cat also has access to the yard. It is highly recommended not to let cats outside on New Year's Eve. It's the night of the year when most cats and most dogs get lost, scared by the bangs of fireworks and firecrackers.
Pre-training
You can try pre-training your cat to desensitize her to loud sounds by using recordings of the noises and rewarding her with treats or positive attention.
Contact profesional
Consult a veterinary behaviorist or pet behavior specialist for further advice, especially if the anxiety problem is persistent.
In conclusion, it is very important to protect the cat from the bangs of fireworks and firecrackers. The anxiety caused to the cat by the loud bangs of firecrackers can lead to agitated behavior, trembling, hiding or looking for safe places to hide. In many cases, stroke, heart attack or irreversible neurological problems can occur.
