How To Prepare For The Fourth Of July With Cats
The Fourth of July is quickly coming up. For many people, this is the perfect time to lounge around the pool, fire up the grill, and celebrate with family and friends. But before you start the celebrations, it is important for pet owners to take the precautionary steps to make sure their pets are protected. It is largely known that Independence Day is one of the most stressful holidays for pets. In this post we will go over our top tips to prepare for the Fourth of July with cats.
Fireworks and Pets Don’t Mix
If you plan to go out to the firework celebrations, do not bring your pet with you. If fireworks can be heard or seen near you, it is best to keep your dog or cat indoors. Dogs and cats are more sensitive to the sounds of fireworks and the loud sounds can frighten them. If fireworks celebrations are near you, it is best to keep them inside with a safe place they can retreat to. This may be their plush bed, cat backpack, or allowing them to hide under your bed. Try setting up an area in a quiet space in your house away from windows. This could be in a basement or closet so that they can’t hear or see the fireworks. Wherever they feel safe, allow them to stay there until they come out on their own.
Secure Your Cat
July 4th is known to be the day where more pets go missing than any other day of the year. Most pets hate fireworks and, in a panic, they might try to escape to get away from the noise. They can easily slip through gates, open windows, and backyards. It is especially important to make sure that the harness is properly fitted so your cat cannot slip out of it. Take a look at our blog post on picking the right harness for your cat if you need help. The Surfer Cat harnesses have been our favorite and most escape proof. Make sure that their ID tags are up to date with your address and telephone number. Micro-chips are also a good way to increase the chances that a lost pet will be returned. But the best way to keep your cats safe is to keep them secured!
Play White Noise
Playing some white noise to drown out any loud sounds can help your cat relax. Fireworks, screaming children, and a lot of other commotion can scare your pet. Try putting on a calming playlist to keep your pet at ease while they stay secured in their room.
Comfort Your Cat
Make sure to check in on your cat throughout the evening. If you are not home, it might be a good investment to get a two way pet camera. This can even allow you to interact with them. We have heard great things about Furbo Camera. You can also have a neighbor, friend, or pet sitter stay at the house with them. Ideally, it should be someone your cat knows and is comfortable with, as adding a stranger to the mix might make them even more stressed. The best option would be for you to stay home with them. It may be a sacrifice you have to make in order to keep your cats safe.
Talk to your Veterinarian
To help with your cat’s anxiety during fireworks, talk to your veterinarian. They can give you suggestions based on your specific case or even prescribe anti-anxiety medications. Another helpful tip might be to purchase some Feliway to help. As always, talk to your vet to figure out what the best course of action is for your cat. If you know that your cat needs anti-anxiety medications around this time of year, be sure to call your vet with enough notice, a week or more, so they can have that ready for you.
Tire Your Cat Out Before The Fireworks
If you know your cat will get stressed with the noise of fireworks, try to walk them or play with them before they start. Getting them tired can help them rest easier in the evening. This is not going to work for all cats, and probably will not help your cat if they are very fearful. But if they are just a little uneasy, tiring them out and then staying with them during the fireworks might be all they need to feel safe and relaxed.
BBQs and Cats
If you are going to a BBQ, make sure your cat is safe at home. If you are bringing your cat to the BBQ with you, make sure you have their backpack and all essentials needed for the day. One thing you want to look out for is any food droppings. Many of the foods cooked at BBQs can be toxic to cats, including onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, and more. Unless you know your cat is comfortable in groups of people outdoors, it is probably best to leave them at home for the BBQ. And if you do bring them, make sure you are back home before the fireworks start to minimize their stress.
Keep Dangers Away
While the contents contained in glow sticks are not considered highly toxic, they can still cause excessive drooling and stomach irritations if consumed. Typically, glow sticks come in a plastic covering. If your cat eats that, a blockage can occur. It is best to not risk it and to just keep these items away from your pet.
Matches and lighter fluids are another thing to keep away from your cat. Some matches may contain chlorates, which can damage blood cells and lead to kidney disease if ingested. Lighter fluid can cause gastrointestinal upset and depress their central nervous system, causing lethargy. If your cat inhales lighter fluid, it can lead to aspiration pneumonia and other breathing issues.
Conclusion
Celebrating the Fourth of July with cats can lead to some stressful situations, so come prepared. If this is the first year your cat is experiencing the holiday, it is best to stay with them to see how they react and get them through it. If you know how your cat reacts, you can be better prepared. Some cats are unbothered by the noise, crowds, and fireworks. If this is the case for you, that’s great! But if you know your cat gets distressed during this time, make sure you take the appropriate measures to be there for them and keep them safe. Enjoy the holiday and stay safe!
