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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Pet Preparedness

Do you have an emergency plan for your pets?

Your home is not only a safe haven for your family, but also for your pets.

When disaster strikes, people often have no other option than to leave their homes. Depending on the severity of the disaster, you may be away from your home for a few hours or a few months.

So what happens to the furry, four-legged members of your family? Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Take time now to identify potential shelter sites or other safe havens where your pet could feel comfortable and be housed temporarily. Many emergency shelters do not allow pets.

• Make sure your pet wears a tag with up-to-date information. Your pet’s ID tag should contain his name, owner contact information, and any urgent medical conditions. Other ID items include license and vaccination tags, or microchips IDs.

• Prepare a pet evacuation kit containing a pet carrier, collar leash, harness, bedding, food/water dishes, medications, toys, pet first aid kit, and at least a three-day supply of food and water.

• It’s always preferable to take your pet with you in an emergency, but if you must leave your pet behind:

o Put him/her in a secure area in your home.
o Leave him at least 10 days of dry food and several water dishes.
o Place signs on doors and windows, describing the type and number of pets inside and providing owner contact information.

• Be prepared to describe your pet, having a photo of your pet can be especially helpful in reuniting pets and their owners.

Adapted from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) article in CITYSCAPE (City of Tigard’s, OR Official Newsletter – June 2009 Edition.)

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