We’d love to say that cats enjoy Fourth of July festivities as much as we do. However, fireworks displays can make this beloved celebration a stressful ordeal for the animals around us.
Even if we can’t stop the “bursting in air” part of the holiday, there are still steps anyone can take to keep cats calmer and safer.
From ways to comfort indoor cats during fireworks to monitoring community cats, here are our top Fourth of July Cat Safety Tips:
1. Give cats a quiet, safe area to relax
Choose a room your cat already enjoys spending time in, especially one that is relatively soundproof. Close them cats in, if necessary, especially if you have guests who will be walking in and out of your home. That way, there’s no chance a cat can go bolting out of the door.
Fill the room with your cat’s favorite bed, toys, blankets, or anything else that makes them feel safe and at home. Be sure to keep a litter box in the space, as well as constant access to water.
2. Cover up the noise
Whether it’s party time or fireworks are going off outside, the right distraction can keep cats from hyper-focusing on stressful sounds.
Turn on the television to a calm channel and turn the volume up (but not too loud!). Or, browse the internet for soothing videos to play, from calming music to brown noise. There are endless choices—including videos especially designed for cats and kittens! Experiment ahead of time to see what kinds of videos calm your cat.
Flipping on the fan or an air conditioner also creates a steady hum of sound to drown out the fireworks.
3. Make the room a calming cat oasis
Cats are instinctively drawn to small, hidden spaces where they can tuck themselves away and feel secure. If your cat still seems especially anxious, even in a familiar room, set up a box with a bed inside and a blanket over it.
You can also consider using calming pheromone sprays or plugging in diffusers like Feliway.
Your presence may just be the best comfort! If you can, sit with your cats, but don’t force them to interact. Give them their favorite treats or see if you can get them to play with their favorite toy! In fact, a hard play session before the fireworks start is a great way to burn off a cat’s nervous energy.
PLEASE NOTE: If your cat is exhibiting signs—such as shaking, drooling, increased heart rate, inappropriate bathroom habits, or suppressed appetite—long after the fireworks, consult a veterinarian right away.
4. Keep dangerous items out of reach
All items related to fireworks, from the matches to the rockets themselves, should be kept well out of reach of cats.
Keep an eye on other Fourth of July decorations, too, such as streamers and ribbons. If a cat ingests these items, it can cause them to choke or lead to a dangerous obstruction.
Additionally, keep party food out of cats’ reach and for humans only. Cooked bones, onion and garlic, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, and alcohol are all harmful to cats. Ensure cats only consume food and treats formulated for them.
Find a more extensive list of substances toxic to cats and symptoms of poisoning. If you suspect a cat has ingested a toxic substance, seek help immediately. Call the nearest animal hospital or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
5. Keep a log of your community cats
At any time of year, it’s best practice to have a detailed log of all of your community cats. Include a photo of each cat, their name, and any related records (such as medical records from TNR or microchipping).
Alley Cat Allies’ community cat tracking system can help you get organized.
Make sure your information on each cat is up to date, and do a head count after the Fourth of July is over. Keep in mind that community cats may hide for hours or even a day after fireworks displays.
To further ensure the safety of cats and other animals, consider holding a neighborhood cleanup of any post-celebration trash or debris from the fireworks.
6. Microchip your cats and keep the information up to date
If your cat slips out the door and becomes lost during a celebration, a scan of her microchip makes all the difference in bringing her home. Make sure your registered information is up to date! Learn more at alleycat.org/MicrochipsSaveLives.
From all of us at Alley Cat Allies: Have a very happy Fourth of July!