My Kittens first firework night any tips on keeping them calm

[gordie1]

HI there my kitten 6 months old will have her first fireworks night on monday she is normally a very happy confident kitten but I am worried about her and how to keep her calm I dont want to use drugs any tips from feline lovers?

[wendilla]

I know how you are concerned.I know it is a kitten but when I had my Lab he used to practually sit on my lap when he heard them. Only thing I can suggest is keep her near you and reasure her. My Lab was ok when I kept talking to him. Was just before this time of year 3 years ago he went to sleep but I will still light a candle to reassure him still. May sound silly but I can't help it as it helps me as I still miss him.

[ummmm]

She might not be bothered. My cat isn't. He's very chilled though.

[gness]

Hi Gordie. When we ran a cattery we put a radio on quite early, before the noise started, and we lived near a park where there was a huge display. Music, and not too loud because of neighbours... :-) , but enough for the bangs not to be a surprise in complete silence.

[wendilla]

Yes Gness I missed out that point I used to turn up the tv .

[ladybirder]

May sound obvious but keep her in for a start whether she's bothered by them or not.

Turn TV or radio up a notch to drown sound of fireworks and if necessary use a Feliway Spray to calm her. And comfort her of course if she is frightened.

She may not even be bothered though. Good luck. X

[islasmum]

Some people would say that the best thing to do is not to take any notice of the fireworks, as then your animals don't think it is anything out of the normal - people feel that cuddling and soothing makes the animal think that their behavior is ok, so never learn to ignore the noise. I can understand where they are coming from, but when you have had a 25kg belgian shepherd dog trying to get on your knee it is difficult to ignore it, and she really hates loud noises, and I feel sorry for her, so probably am making a rod for my own back - or have done so several years ago. We just make sure the cat is in, and close all the curtains and keep the tv up fairly high to try and distract from the noise. It's been like world war 3 out there for the past few nights, and imagine that it will be like this for at least the weekend.

[pastafreak]

I've had quite a few cats over the years,and none of them have been bothered in the least by loud noises.
I'd say ignore the noise-and don't fuss over the kitten *because* of the noise.
Lucky you if Monday is the only night you expect fireworks.

[paddywak]

We were lucky as both our last two dogs, GSD's, were never bothered by sudden noises and fire works in fact if the curtains were left open they'd sit there and watch them, so I can't really give you any advice but I have heard these diffuser things work well. Wendy you're not being silly we lost Max in March and our other old boy some 15 years before that and we still miss them both.

[boxtops]

Our cats aren't bothered at all, they never have been unless one is really near - but then any unexplained loud noise in the road will surprise anyone. Don't make a big thing of it - I've never had kittens who were bothered, if you make a fuss now you will end up with a nervy cat, IMO.

[Eve]

Mine never seemed bothered (I live right by a large park and Moss Side so quite a few about) but I lost one of my cats (sisters) a few months back and my other one has been a lot funnier about them since.

She is curled up behind my knees now with her head on one of them as lots of bangs and such about outside. Am planning for Monday as there is always a large event in the park right by me for fireworks night (also get them round Eid etc...).

I find acting normal helps, keeping calm so they don't pick up more nerves if you are on edge because of them. If she gets really nervous Feliway may help. Just keep the windows shut and keep her in and with somewhere nice and comfy to curl up if she does get nervous.

[rsvp]

Fireworks will be on all over the weekend in a lot of the parts of the country - my suggestion is that you keep kitty in from now until Wednesday, make sure ALL doors/windows/whatevers are closed, keep the raidio/TV on loud and make sure she has a safe haven to hide under if required.

[magsmay]

try having two large horse and and a mare and foal on your knee ;-) They are at present in their stables worriedly looking out at the skyline on fire and loud noises -i have the lights on in the stables and radio 2 blasting out, going out every half hour to see they are alright -its ridiculous -bloody Guy Fawkes was a terrorist anyway ;-(