Keep your cat safe during Halloween or Bonfire Night celebrations
In October and November, Halloween and Bonfire Night (UK) celebrations seem to take place over several weeks rather than just one or two nights. In fact, similar celebrations are now also held in the New Year. While this is a lot of fun for us humans, it can be stressful and dangerous for cats.
firework
For us, fireworks are bright, noisy, and fun to watch, but for cats they are a new experience (thus making them wary), and they can be loud, unpredictable, and quite scary. there is. A frightened cat may run away and get lost, or cross the road and get into an accident. Stressed cats may develop behavioral problems such as leaving the house dirty or excessively grooming.
On nights when you hear fireworks in your area, there are some things to consider to help your cat.
- Make sure your cat is safely indoors before dark. Lure your cat inside with treats and make sure all doors, cat flaps, and windows (including the small window at the top) are closed to not only keep your cat indoors but also block out noise. .
| Advice box: If your cat isn’t used to being restricted or called, keep him indoors. Some cats are confined to indoors or do not use an indoor litter box. If this is the case, “rehearse” your confinement overnight for the event. Practice being able to come right away when your cat is called. If your cat is hungry, call his name and give him a tasty treat (you can do this first when your cat is indoors). If your cat isn’t very interested in food, you can reward her with a game she enjoys, such as a wand toy. Once your cat learns to come when called inside the house, you can extend this to outside as well. Always be prepared to reward your cat with food and play so that he learns that coming back from outside is rewarding. This will keep your cat motivated to come to you. Nighttime is when traffic accidents and cat fights are most common, so coming indoors at night may be safer in the long run. |
- Get your cat used to the sounds of fireworks weeks before fireworks season. This will help you cope when you actually hear the sound of fireworks. Audio clips of firework sounds are available (through your veterinarian or online via YouTube). Play these at a very low volume first and gauge your cat’s reaction. If your cat seems indifferent to the sound, gradually increase the volume over a few days by rewarding this behavior with food or play. If at any stage your cat seems concerned about the noise, take a few steps back and go more slowly.
- Provide a safe and comfortable hiding place in case your cat gets scared. A cardboard box next to it or an igloo bed is best. If your cat tends to seek out high places when anxious, you can place the hideout in a high place (such as on top of a wardrobe). If your cat prefers to hide on the ground, allow him to hide under your bed or behind your couch. If you bought a new bed, add bedding that already has your cat’s scent on it to help blend the smell.
- Don’t try to hug your cat to make sure everything is fine. If your cat comes into contact with you, treat it normally, such as petting it. Cats feel safest if they can hide, so preventing this by cuddling or hugging them for reassurance during fireworks can be counterproductive, and your change in behavior may make your cat feel safer. It can even be a cause for concern.
- Use treats or toys to distract your cat from the sound of fireworks.
- A few days before you expect fireworks, plug a Feliway diffuser into the room where your cat spends the most time. Synthetic plug-in pheromone products (Feliway, CEVA, etc.) are available from your veterinarian and can help your cat feel more secure. Make sure it is switched on at all times during fireworks season.
- If you’re putting on your own show, light the fireworks as far away from your home as possible, and choose quiet fireworks if possible.
sparklers
If you have a very nervous cat, it’s best not to use sparklers indoors, as the lights and hissing noises can frighten them. Even when used outdoors, keep burnt sparklers (which are very hot initially) away from animals and children before safely disposing of them.
bonfire
Building a bonfire before it starts to burn can provide a good hiding place for small animals such as hedgehogs, and even cats and kittens, so check before you light it.
candle
Cats can be attracted to the flickering light of candles, which can burn their paws or singe their whiskers. Just a passing cat could put its tail on a flame or knock it off a ledge, so be aware of these hazards. Using electric candles with pumpkins minimizes the risk to animals and children.
glow stick
Glow sticks made into wands and necklaces are often sold on Halloween and Bonfire Night. These are tubes made of flexible soft plastic that contain a glow-in-the-dark liquid. The main component of this oily liquid is dibutyl phthalate, which has a very unpleasant taste. If a cat gets even a small amount of it in its mouth, it will secrete a large amount of saliva and foam. They may also exhibit hyperactive and aggressive behavior (a bad taste in the mouth can confuse and upset your cat). This fluid can also cause skin and eye irritation.
If this happens, immediately offer a small amount of milk, canned cat food, tuna juice, or other palatable food to dilute the chemicals in the mouth and provide a more pleasant taste. can help the cat. If you drop water on your cat’s skin or fur, do not rinse it off with water or your cat will swallow it again when it grooms itself. If you look at your cat in the dark, you may see glowing areas that have not been washed off.
If it gets into your cat’s eyes, rinse with plenty of water.
Cats usually recover within a few minutes, but keep an eye on them to make sure they’re okay and seek veterinary advice if you’re concerned.
| glow stick case
One young cat developed foam at the mouth immediately after chewing psyllium. He vomited when he swallowed a solution that had a bitter and unpleasant taste. The dog’s owner rushed him to the vet, where they rinsed his mouth out with water and wiped away the chemical residue on his face. The inquisitive cat remained quiet and sleepy for the next two hours, but it has since been explained that although he was feeling some anxiety about biting an unknown object, his little indiscretion wasn’t too bad. Masu. A Bengal cat was left drooling and in pain after chewing on a discarded luminous necklace after a night out at a fireworks display. He pecked his mouth with his paw and ran around the room trying to escape the unpleasant taste in his mouth. His mouth was flushed with water and he quickly recovered without further problems. His owners plan to make sure to dispose of the remaining colorful necklace in the future. |
Keeping your cat safe on Halloween – decorations and chocolates
Halloween is a fun time for adults and children alike. However, there are certain things associated with this celebration that pose a danger to our cats. Read our advice on how to keep your cat safe during this time.
ornaments
Many of us enjoy decorating our homes with spooky themes for Halloween. Cats are curious creatures, so they may investigate the decorations you put up. When young cats lack proper nutrition, they are more likely to explore and play with decorations, as well as cats who are bored and stay indoors. Cats may knock over decorations, or depending on the type of decorations, there is a risk of self-injury or injury to others, and in some cases, cats may accidentally swallow (eat) them. there is. Veterinarians say string and string-like objects are one of the most common types of foreign objects eaten by cats, and can cause serious problems such as “clumping” of the intestines. Surgery may be required to remove the object.
Therefore, decorations should be placed out of the cat’s reach and the cat’s surroundings should be constantly monitored.
chocolate
Halloween is the season when many chocolate candies are sold. Chocolate is a treat for us, but it contains a compound called theobromine, which is toxic to most animals. Cats need to ingest large amounts of theobromine to be fatal (approximately 560 g of milk chocolate or approximately 140 g of dark chocolate), but even small amounts can cause toxic symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression, and depression. may cause. Hyperactivity.
Chocolate should be stored well away from cats. Keep in mind that cats are good at climbing high places, so you need to keep it closed off so they can’t get to it. If you have chocolate within your cat’s reach, keep a close eye on your cat.
Download awareness poster
