This is a very common problem in cats and dogs.
The sounds, sights and smells associated with fireworks can scare our animals. It is important to remember that a cats senses are significantly more sensitive than ours so even fireworks that are far away can scare cats. Also the sounds associated with fireworks are more startling if the animals are not used to them. (Animals tend to fear things that they are not used to, this is called neophobia.)
There are many different treatment options available. Which one you choose probably depends on how significant the anxiety level is and how much time you have.
Some techniques can take a long time to work. For example a sound desensitisation programme or pheromone treatment. Others like the Thundershirt or SILEO gel work much more rapidly. Also it is important to understand than animals are individual and what works for one may not work as well for others.
If your pet gets very stressed and/or you have little time to use the slower acting tools. Then you could discuss SILEO, a new, highly effective, and rapidly acting gel for your pet. with your vet
Technique 1: Reduce level of fireworks noise
Take your animals indoors as far away from the noise as possible before it becomes dark.
Ensure that the house is secure, that all doors, cat flaps and windows are closed securely. This will help keep noises to a minimum and reduce the chances of your cat escaping if startled.
Turn on a radio or television. Provide lots of fun things for your cat to do (see Environmental Enrichment below) and importantly for the more timid cat, provide plenty of places to hideaway.
Consistent background sounds may help to reduce anxiety.
Some say that classical music is calming for pets. There is even special music made for cats!
Whatever you choose, the sounds of fireworks should be less startling when there is also some consistent (predictable) background sound.
Suggest that the person buying the fireworks uses the quieter or "silent"fireworks.
Note: Ear plugs for dogs are available on Amazon. I would not recommend this for cats however!
Technique 2 :Reduce level of fear associated with fireworks noise
Desensitisation
One method of reducing the animals stress levels with the noise of fireworks is to get them used to these sounds in advance.
A sound that they are used to should not cause any fear. (It is no longer a new sound so they should not suffer from neophobia.)
While it takes time to implement a desensitisation program, it can be effective in the longer term.
While it takes time to implement a desensitisation program, it can be effective in the longer term.
Play these initially at barely audible volumes to gauge the effect on your cat,
If your cat appears indifferent to the sound, then you can reward this behaviour with a treat or play, and gradually, over many days, increase the volume.
If at any stage your cat seems worried by the sounds, go back a few steps and progress more slowly.
You can buy audio tools to train your pet to become used to different noises. These are available HERE.
Note: Done too quickly it cat cause more fear.
If your cat appears indifferent to the sound, then you can reward this behaviour with a treat or play, and gradually, over many days, increase the volume.
If at any stage your cat seems worried by the sounds, go back a few steps and progress more slowly.
You can buy audio tools to train your pet to become used to different noises. These are available HERE.
Note: Done too quickly it cat cause more fear.
Thunder shirt
A ThundeShirt is a simple and safe calming device based on pressure points that can be very helpful for both cats and dogs.
Find out more HERE.
Pheromones and Supplements
You can also use pheremones to help reduce anxiety in your pets.
These are synthetic versions of naturally occurring pheromones to help cats feel more relaxed
For cats we use a Feliway diffuser.
Feliway can be a very useful adjuvant treatment for anxiety issues in cats.
Plug the diffuser in in the place where your cat spends most of her time . It should be plugged in a few days before you expect any fireworks.
It is switched on continually throughout the firework season.
Find out more about Feliway HERE.
There are also a range of supplements and medications that can help in some cases. Click HERE to find out more.
Feliway can be a very useful adjuvant treatment for anxiety issues in cats.
Plug the diffuser in in the place where your cat spends most of her time . It should be plugged in a few days before you expect any fireworks.
It is switched on continually throughout the firework season.
Find out more about Feliway HERE.
There are also a range of supplements and medications that can help in some cases. Click HERE to find out more.
Environmental enrichment
This simply means making the indoors more interesting for your cat.
The aim here is to give your cat something positive to focus on that is more interesting than the fireworks.
Essentially we are trying to distract the cat.
It is suggested that cats cannot feel enjoyment and fear at the same time. If the cat is enjoying herself playing with a toy or being fed using a puzzle, feeder they probable won't be anxious about the noise.
What do you do to reduce fear associated with fireworks for your cat?
Essentially we are trying to distract the cat.
It is suggested that cats cannot feel enjoyment and fear at the same time. If the cat is enjoying herself playing with a toy or being fed using a puzzle, feeder they probable won't be anxious about the noise.
What do you do to reduce fear associated with fireworks for your cat?
Note: Some cats prefer to be left alone when they are scared. Some cats feel safe in higher locations.
Something simple like a cardboard box on its side or an igloo bed are ideal.
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