Your Cat & the New Years Eve Fireworks!

All throughout the year, everyone likes to celebrate with fireworks but coming up to New Year's we all know it can't be avoided. Many pets become anxious and frightened when fireworks go off. Cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets can become extremely distressed. Unlike us, they don’t understand why there are loud bangs and flashes outside. The best thing for you to do is be aware and prepared.

How to prepare your cats for Fireworks: 

• Make sure your cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to and has access to this place at all times. For example this could be under some furniture or in a cupboard.
• During firework seasons, keep your cats indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.  
• Close windows and curtains and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.  
• If your pet shows any signs of fear try not to soothe or comfort them. Leave them alone unless they are likely to harm themselves. Never punish or fuss over your pet when it's scared as this will only make things worse in the long run.   
• Make sure your cat is micro-chipped in case they do escape

Helping your pet long-term
As well as helping your pet on the night, pets that are very scared of fireworks and other loud noises can be treated for their fear using effective behavioral techniques. This takes time and patience, but excellent results can be achieved.

Your vet may recommend behavioral therapy or suggest referral to a veterinary behaviorist or a pet behavior counselor. Behavioral therapy often uses a technique called ‘desensitization and counter-conditioning’. Over time, this process teaches your pet that loud noises are nothing to be scared of.

Sometimes medication prescribed by a vet is used to help with the behavioral therapy.

Owners sometimes ask vets to prescribe tranquillizer tablets for their pet. Some drugs that were once popular are no longer used. This is because they do not reduce fear, just an animal’s ability to respond. This can make a pet’s firework phobia worse.