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Many of us love celebrating the 4th of July with good old-fashioned fireworks. But cats? Not so much. Much like dogs, cats are often frightened by the loud bangs and bright flashes of light that fireworks create. They just show their fear and anxiety differently than dogs – or try to hide their distress altogether. This anxiety can make them hide or even run away from home, which is the last thing any cat parent wants on any day, let alone a busy holiday like the 4th of July. Here’s how to help cats cope with fireworks for a safer, more relaxed holiday!
Stressed cats can react in many different ways. Pay attention to signs of fear and anxiety such as:
Some cats will sleep right through 4th of July fireworks like it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon. But other kitties struggle during the celebrations, whether it’s from the loud booming or the sudden flashing lights. What can you do to help them cope?
If you know your cat gets especially anxious around fireworks, consider staying home. Your presence can help them feel settled. Try to stay calm yourself, as cats can pick up on your emotional state.
The Cat-in-the-Bag Cozy Comfort Carrier may also help! Our soft cat carrier is roomy, comfortable, and designed to hold and soothe your cat during stressful situations like vet visits and fireworks. No trauma, no drama. Pair your lightweight cat pouch carrier with our disposable liners, Acci-Don’ts, to keep everything safe and dry!
Does your feline like to hide when they’re scared or anxious? This is completely normal! Cats often hide to feel safe, so let them. Make sure they have easy access to their favorite spot when the fireworks begin. If they don’t have a go-to hiding place, here are ideas for how to help your cat cope with fireworks:
You should also block off any unsafe hiding spots in your home like inside a crawlspace or behind washers and dryers.
Keep your cat indoors during the fireworks festivities – even if they’re an outdoor cat. Cats stressed by fireworks may make a run for it at the sudden noises. You don’t want your kitty to get lost or injured because they were frightened! Aim to have them inside in the afternoon, well before the fireworks. Not going to be home? Set out their food and water bowls, and maybe even a toy or treat puzzle. Busy kitties will be less worried about fireworks!
Remember to make sure your cat’s microchip details are up to date with your current address and phone number before the holiday. Accidents happen – cats can slip out an open door or a loose window screen at the start of fireworks. Microchips provide peace of mind that you’ll quickly be reunited with your kitty if they escape.
Background noise is a great solution for how to help cats cope with fireworks. Try playing some calming music or turning on the television as a distraction. Just make sure there aren’t any sudden loud noises from the TV. Fans and white noise machines are also purrfect options!
The flashes of light from fireworks can make your cat feel anxious too. Close the curtains or pull the blinds to help block the light. You can also try keeping them out of rooms with lots of windows.
When figuring out how to help cats cope with fireworks, many cat parents keep their kitties in one room. But this may cause your cat even more stress. They hate being confined, and remaining in one room can increase their fear and anxiety. Let them have access to their usual areas (except the outdoors!) so they can roam and choose their preferred safe space.
Don’t know how to help your cat cope with fireworks? Try giving your feline space. Cats stressed by fireworks often take a while to calm down, and picking them up may make them feel more frightened. Let them come to you when they’re ready for attention!
Unfortunately, some cats will remain anxious regardless of how you help them cope with fireworks. Reach out to your vet if your cat is experiencing:
Your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medication or provide other options to consider.
Learning how to help cats cope with fireworks may not always be easy, but it’s well worth it to enjoy a less stressful, more relaxed holiday. Bring your feline indoors, close the curtains, and consider using your Cat-in-the-Bag cat carriers to calm cats stressed by fireworks. Visit our cat blog for more!
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Jeanne Starmack is a lifelong cat lover and the inventor of the Cozy Comfort Carrier, an innovative and mindfully-designed soft cat carrier. After creating the carrier and starting Cat-in-the-Bag, Jeanne participated in cat shows for 15 years where she built relationships with many cat owners. After seeing how much her own cat disliked traditional carriers and learning the issues other owners faced when traveling with their cats, Jeanne perfected a solution focused on the cat’s comfort above all else.
