Tips for keeping your cat calm on bonfire night
Bonfire Night & Cats
When you are a cat owner, it is very easy to “remember remember the fifth of November”. Unfortunately, whilst non-pet owners can go out and commemorate the failure of the gunpowder plot in 1605 with a bonfire, fireworks, and toasted marshmallows, pet owners often dread the time of the year when the sky is illuminated with the red, green, blue, and gold of fireworks.
Often, people associate firework anxiety only with dogs, however, this is not the case and in fact, many cats will have to face firework anxiety around bonfire night as well, as many owners know all too well. In this article, we will go through some of the most commonly given tips for keeping your cat calm during bonfire night. As well as this, we will also provide some context as to why your cat may actually be frightened or anxious on bonfire night.
Key Takeaways
Keep your cat indoors:
If your cat is anxious around fireworks, keeping them inside is the best way to protect them from the loud noises and bright lights. This is especially important for outdoor cats who might get scared and run away.
Create a calming environment:
Ensure your cat is comfortable by providing a cozy, quiet space with food, water, and a bed. Consider using an enclosed bed (like an igloo) to help them feel safe and secure.
Consider professional advice:
If your cat's anxiety is severe, speak to a vet. Medications are available to help reduce stress, and an online vet service can provide advice without leaving home.
Why are cats frightened of fireworks?
As many cats are outdoor cats and not house cats, it can be easy to assume that they are going to be absolutely fine during bonfire night as they are used to being out and about, especially at night time. Although many cats will be completely fine on bonfire night, many will actually have tendencies of firework anxiety. There are many reasons why your cat may be showing signs of firework anxiety on bonfire night and it can be hard to pinpoint the cause to just one.
The most common cause of firework anxiety in cats is that they see the loud noises and flashing lights as a threat. This will trigger a fight or flight reaction in your cat that will see them showing signs of stress and anxiety. There are other reasons that cats may develop firework anxiety, one of which being that they have been outdoors when fireworks have been going off. When this happens, a cat can lose their bearings and will try to get away from the noise, which can result in your cat going missing, or running blindly onto a road. If you are concerned about your cat going missing during bonfire night then it is greatly recommended that you keep them secure and safe indoors, especially if they are prone to firework anxiety. It is now a legal requirement to microchip your cats, as this provides important information should your cat be found and scanned.
How can I help my cat if it is afraid of fireworks?
It is only natural that cat owners want to protect their pets when they begin to become scared or anxious about fireworks. There are lots of theories that people have about helping their pets when they become anxious on bonfire night.
Comment from Vet Vicki Emmerton (BVetMed MRCVS):
Vet Vicki Emmerton (BVetMed MRCVS) believes planning ahead is key to helping them to control their fear.
"Many cats are extremely good at hiding their emotions from their human servants, and even the bravest of cats can get caught out by sudden bangs and flashes. They will also pick up on your emotions as well, so the more stressed and anxious you are, the more likely they are to feel the same.
Providing a safe space for our feline friends during fireworks season by keeping them inside, is a really important step to making them feel happy and secure. You may also wish to consider moving their food and water bowls away from windows and doors to reduce the exposure to noise and light.
And, above all, plan ahead. Many anti-anxiety supplements and prescription medications need to be used in advance, in some cases started many days prior to firework season, in order for them to work properly. You may wish to meet with your vet prior to bonfire night to give you plenty of time to consider your options and allow for medications to arrive."
Common tips and whether they work
Can keeping your cat indoors help them to avoid firework anxiety?
This is perhaps the best thing you can do if your cat has firework anxiety. As many cats are outdoor cats, they will be used to going outside at night. You must ensure that your anxious cat remains indoors during bonfire night, even if they are usually an outdoor cat.
Can filling your cat's water bowl help your cat avoid firework anxiety?
Making sure that your cat has plenty of accessible drinking water is also a good way to relieve symptoms of anxiety. When a cat is anxious it will often drink a lot more than usual, so keeping its bowl topped up is a good way of keeping them comfortable.
Can microchipping help your cat avoid firework anxiety?
Microchipping is a very important part of owning a cat. This will not so much relieve their anxiety as much as it will cover you should they go missing during bonfire night. A microchip can be scanned if your cat is found and your information will be able to get your cat back to you. Microchipping is also a legal requirement for owning a cat.
Can securing your garden help your cat to avoid firework anxiety?
If you are going to be letting your cat outside during bonfire night then you may wish to ensure your garden is secure. This can be tricky however as cats are excellent jumpers and climbers so it may be easier to simply keep them inside.
Can increasing TV/radio volume help your cat to avoid firework anxiety?
One of the most popular tips people follow to keep their cats calm during bonfire night is to turn the volume of their TV or radio up. As cats' hearing is more sensitive than humans they may still hear the frequencies of fireworks and this may trigger their anxiety despite the volume.
Can closing curtains help your cat avoid firework anxiety?
If you find that your cat is more sensitive to the flashing lights of fireworks as opposed to the loud noises then you may wish to shut your curtains to keep these flashes away from your cat when they are indoors. Usually, however, cats will react more to noise than light.
Can creating a relaxing environment help your cat to avoid firework anxiety?
Cats love to be comfortable, and when they are, they will relax. When your cat is feeling anxious, the best thing you can do is to try and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Do this by ensuring they have what they need such as food, water, and a bed. If your cat struggles with firework anxiety then consider an Igloo type bed. These are great as they allow your cat to feel as if they are hiding away.
Can keeping your cat company help them to avoid firework anxiety?
Cats, despite their reputation, are sociable creatures and like spending time with their owners. Often, cats will find a level of comfort from sitting with their owners when they are stressed. You may wish to sit with your cat during bonfire night, but only if they are comfortable with you doing so.
Can acclimatising your cat to loud noises help them to avoid firework anxiety?
There is some evidence to show that playing your cat's firework sounds at reasonable volumes will result in them having a less stressful experience during bonfire night itself. This may not work every time, however, and can actually cause distress if the noises are played at too high of a volume.
Can medications help your cat with firework anxiety?
In some cases, cat owners may look towards medications that can help relieve anxiety in their pets. These are effective means of anxiety relief if other methods have not worked. At UK Pets, we provide a range of anxiety medications that can help to relieve the stress of bonfire night.
Can speaking to a vet help your cat to avoid firework anxiety?
Getting in touch with a vet about anxiety may not sound like something that is commonly done, however, it should be! Using an online vet is a great way to get some handy advice without ever needing to leave the house.
