Are Cats Scared of Fireworks? Prepping For The 4th Of July

Fireworks are a thrilling part of celebrations like the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, or local festivals. But while we marvel at the bright lights and booms, your cat might be busy huddled under your bed. If you’ve ever noticed your cat hiding, trembling, or acting out of sorts during a fireworks display, you’re not imagining things. So, are cats scared of fireworks? Here are some steps you can take to keep them safe, and how you can find them again in no time if they end up escaping outdoors.

Key Takeaways

Many cats are scared of fireworks due to their sensitivity to sound, light, and vibration.

Creating a safe indoor retreat and maintaining your cat’s routine can help minimize their stress. Else, counter-conditioning your cat against loud noises can gradually reduce their fear response.

Outdoor cats face unique risks during fireworks, but microchips, ID tags, and GPS trackers can increase their safety.

A smart cat tracker like Tractive can help you locate your cat in real-time and send you escape alerts if your cat runs away from safety.

Find out where your cat spends their time.

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Are cats scared of fireworks?

They can be – though it really depends on the cat. Some cats might not bat an eye at loud noises (unlike, say, your dog.) But in other cases, cats can and do experience noise anxiety. Which can trigger a fear response within them during festivals like the 4th of July. These might be because they don’t take well to:

• Sudden, loud noises
  Fireworks tend to erupt without warning. Their loud, erratic bursts can overwhelm a cat’s sensitive hearing and trigger a fear response. In the wild, sudden loud noises often indicate danger. Cats, even domesticated ones, retain these instincts and interpret fireworks as threats.
• Flashing lights and vibrations
  Besides sound, fireworks produce bright, disorienting flashes and ground-level vibrations. These unusual stimuli can make cats feel unsafe and vulnerable.
• The lack of exposure
  Because fireworks aren’t a part of daily life, most cats have never been desensitized to them. Each new experience is unfamiliar and frightening.

 “A scared cat is more likely to run away from home and get lost, which increases their chances of harm from cars, predators, or illness.”

– PetMD¹

💡 In these cases, it’s smart to consider using a cat GPS tracker to keep tabs on their location at all times. From your Tractive mobile app, you can set up a “safe zone” around your home or backyard – and get an escape alert if your cat leaves it.

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How you can help your cat stay calm during fireworks

While you can’t stop fireworks from happening, here are some steps to reduce your cat’s stress and keep them safe and comfortable.

• Keep your cat indoors
  Yes, even if they’re an outdoor cat. There’s always the chance a random explosion might cause them to get injured or bolt off too far from safety. Where they end up missing for days because they’re hiding from fear or nursing themselves back to health.
• Create a safe retreat
  Set up a quiet, cozy spot in your home where your cat can hide. Include their favorite blanket, toys, and maybe even a piece of your clothing to offer comfort. Just make sure to avoid any crawlspaces or spots your cat might get stuck in.
• Soundproof your space, if you can
  Close all windows, doors, and curtains to muffle the sound and block the flashes of light. Playing calming music or white noise can help mask outside disturbances.
• Help your cat relax
  Consider using feline pheromone diffusers, some catnip, anxiety wraps, or vet-approved calming treats. Also, avoid confining your cat in one room. Let them wander through a couple of rooms in your house, so they have their pick of hiding spots.
• Do your best to stay calm yourself
  Your cat might mirror your reaction if you fuss – and you’ll end up reinforcing their fear instead. Instead, stay calm and carry on as usual. You want them to learn that fireworks aren’t a threat.
• Stick to your cat’s routine
  This can help provide a sense of normalcy and help them relax. Keep feeding times and play sessions consistent to help your cat feel secure.

In more serious cases, your vet can best advise you on whether your cat can benefit from anti-anxiety medication.

Steps to counter-condition your cat against loud noises

If your cat consistently reacts to loud noises, you can help them build tolerance over time using counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques.

• Start slow and low
  Play a recording of fireworks or similar loud noises at a very low volume. Do this during a calm moment, ideally while your cat is busy eating or playing. (Basically distracted.)
• Pair the sound with rewards
  As the sound plays quietly in the background, give your cat a treat if they stay calm. Make sure to only do so when the sound is playing. (Or your cat will expect a treat when they’re “distracted.”) If your cat freaks out, turn off the sound and try again after some time, but at a much lower volume. Remember: your cat’s sense of hearing is several times better than yours!
• Gradually increase volume over days or weeks
  Once your cat is comfortable, slowly raise the volume in small increments, always watching for signs of stress. If they become anxious, lower the volume and try again later.
• Stay consistent
  Practice a few minutes daily. Over time, your cat may become less sensitive to loud sounds, including fireworks.

This process can take time, and results vary. In severe cases of noise anxiety, talk to your vet or a certified animal behaviorist for guidance.

How to keep your cat safe if they’re outside during fireworks

• Get your cat microchipped
  A microchip with your up-to-date contact details is like a permanent ID tag for your cat. If someone finds them and takes them to a vet or shelter, they can scan the chip and contact you right away. This helps prevent your cat from being mistaken as a stray and being rehomed or even euthanized instead.
• Use a breakaway collar with an ID tag
  Make sure your cat wears a safety (breakaway) collar that has an ID tag with your name and phone number. This helps people quickly identify that your cat isn’t a stray and knows exactly who to contact.
• Keep your neighbors informed
  Let nearby neighbors know that you have a cat who may be outside and frightened by fireworks. Ask them to keep an eye out and contact you if they see your cat hiding or trying to find shelter. This community awareness can lead you to find them quicker if your cat escapes.
• Equip your cat with a GPS tracker
  Even with ID, finding your cat in the moment can be stressful and difficult. Microchips and ID tags can only help someone identify your cat – not actively track them down. A GPS tracker like Tractive lets you track their real-time location, follow their movements, and get escape alerts if they wander too far.

Where a smart cat collar with GPS tracking can help in an emergency

Despite all your precautions, a terrified cat might bolt out an open door or window. That’s where a smart cat collar like Tractive can be a potential lifesaver during an emergency.

Strapped to your cat’s collar, you can now:

• Track your cat in real-time
  From your app, just switch to LIVE Mode and get real-time updates on where your cat’s run off to every couple of seconds. Plus, unlike an AirTag, Tractive GPS devices don’t need a network of compatible devices to work. They also work across an unlimited range.
• Get escape alerts if your cat leaves a “safe zone”
  Which you can set up via your Tractive mobile app. Else, set up “no go zones” around your neighborhood you’d rather not have them venture into. Your tracker will alert you if they do.
• Figure out where your cat is most likely to hide
  From their Heat Map and Location History, which works even when you lose signal – securely logging your cat’s location and updating once they’ve wandered back to GPS territory. This helps you figure out what spots around town they’re most likely to be hiding in if they go missing.

All this in one device – built with love for cats and for your peace of mind as a cat parent.

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Keep your cat safe, healthy, & close by this festive season

So, are cats scared of fireworks? They can be – and understandably so. But with a little preparation and the right tools, you can make firework-filled nights less stressful for your feline friend. From setting up a calming retreat to leveraging the power of a smart cat collar, you’re not just managing their fear – you’re actively protecting their well-being.

Track your cat wherever they go

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. Find out when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences. And discover their favorite spots with Territory.

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And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together. Happy 4th of July!