How to Help Cats that are Afraid of Thunder and Fireworks

Loud noises can be scary for cats. Helping your cat cope with loud thunder and fireworks can help make your cat feel more comfortable.

Obviously, it's not uncommon for a cat to be afraid of loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks.

They usually react by hiding.

A cat suffering from a substantial fear of loud noises may begin to display anxious behavior before the thunder begins. Rain on the roof of the house, bright flashes of light or even the drop in air pressure before a storm may be enough to trigger anxiety.

It is important to know what to do when the situation occurs.

Staying calm will help your cat feel safe. You might even try to play with your cat to distract from the noise of thunder or fireworks.

Make sure your cat has a safe place to seek refuge. Cats typically will run under a bed or under a chair to escape loud noises. Your cat chooses these places because she feels protected and the noise of thunder or fireworks is muffled.

If your cat has not already picked out a place, provide one. Try leaving a few kibbles of a favorite cat food in safe place to encourage your cat to go there.

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Information about holistic cat food.

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Holiday Hazards for Cats

Watch out for the following potential cat hazards during this holiday season:

Flowers And Plants
Poinsettias get the bad rap, but the plant you actually need to worry about is the fragrant lily (such as tiger, Asiatic, and Stargazer), which is commonly found in holiday arrangements and is highly toxic to cats. Just one chewed leaf can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Yuletide plants (like holly and mistletoe) can easily be mistaken for food, resulting in gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmia. Silk and plastic arrangements are your safest bets; if you prefer real flowers, however, choose bouquets made of nonirritating choices such as roses, marigolds, orchids, or daisies.

Candles
Curious cats have been known to knock down candles causing house fires. Never, ever leave candles unattended with a cat in the house. As a Red Cross volunteer, I've been to a couple of fires caused by a curious cat and careless owner. The ending is never good.

Tinsel
If you own a cat, toss the tinsel--she's attracted to it and may eat it. Ingesting tinsel can cause severe damage to the intestinal tract. It can get wrapped around the tongue or caught up in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines, which may require expensive abdominal surgery.

Sponsored by Cats-Gone-Wild Catnip.