How to help your cat during storms, fireworks
This new season of increasingly loud thunderstorms may send your feline hiding under the sofa or bed. Anticipating this reaction to thunderstorms and loud noises can go a long way in helping your feline cope.
Your feline needs to feel safe and cozy. You can do this by confining your feline to smaller quarters; spare room, den, sewing room etc. Next, provide a welcome environment if your feline wants to hide. Multi-level cat trees or furniture help here.
Every time it storms, my felines automatically run into the spare room with all the cat furniture. I place warm fuzzy beds at each level of the furniture. They also feel safe if cubes, or cubby hole type beds are provided. Error on more than you need, so that your feline can pick its favorite spot during this stressful time. Boxes and bags with towels inside are also inviting. They give your feline an increased sense of security to hide in.
Perhaps, try thinking of a loud storm and the behavior your feline displays as behavior that your feline may have exhibited when you brought them home for the first time. Too much space is overwhelming when times are stressful.
If you know about what time the storm may hit and you are home, try adding some Rescue Remedy to the water bowl in the room they will be confined to. This liquid, calming agent can be purchased at most health food stores. A couple of drops in the water is safe for them, but you should discuss this agent with your veterinarian before you try it.
Lastly, do not forget to provide a litter-box in your safe haven. During times of stress, accidents can happen. I also consider any celebration with fireworks a reason for seclusion to the safe haven, spare room. Fireworks can in fact be much louder than thunderstorms and they continue for a much longer duration.
Whenever I know there will be firework displays, I start the roundup to the spare room well before the event begins. The roundup is so much more relaxing for them and for you. Once all the commotion begins they will be thrilled they are in the safety of their spare room. With a local event, too, there may be activity in your neighborhood with illegal fire crackers. People that do not have animals seem to be unable to resist the temptation.
My next bit of advice for these explosive holidays is to go out during the day and stay home with your animals in the evening when all the racket hits.
I also have friends that believe boarding their animal is the solution to the problem. Boarding is a solution only if you are going out of town and there is no one to care for your animal The animal hospital is not soundproof. By boarding your animals, you expose your pet to a group of nervous animals, hence more anxiety.
Did you know?:
• Buddy normally celebrates the anniversary of its shelter building in June. This year, however, the open house anniversary event will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights. Visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org for more details.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.