Loud noises such as fireworks can be terrifying for most cats. So here are some tips to help your cat be a Better Kitty when the fireworks are exploding this summer.
Provide a safe and comfy space. This can be a small space, like a closet, a box or a laundry basket lined with towels and blankets draped over the top. The key is to use blankets and towels to help muffle the loud noises, while providing shelter. Keep in mind that cats will be cats, and that means they hate to be confined into a small space. Therefore, they should be allowed to come and go as they please.
Do use a fan set on a low setting to keep the air circulating, and this will also provide some “white noise”. Temperatures may be hot during the 4th and it is important to help keep kitty cool during this loud event. Additionally, calming music may also be useful to help muffle the sound of fireworks.
If you have a spacious home, it may be useful to offer an additional litter box, food and water close to the shelter area. Kitty may not feel safe to venture out of their shelter to get to their normal box and food area.
Lastly, calming treats can help with anxiety and fear in cats. Look for ingredients like thiamine, L-theanine, chamomile, melatonin, tryptophan, and C3 calming complex. Below are some examples of calming treats, collars, and calming spray (for the shelter do not spray directly onto kitty!) that can help. The calming diffusers work too, but are pricey and you may need several diffusers to fully saturate an area.
Sentry Calming Chews, Calming Collar and Calming Spray
VetriScience Composure Treats
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements, Calming Care, Probiotic Powder
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