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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

How can we protect our cats from this storm that's coming?

38 replies

Sparklingbrook · 27/10/2013 09:56

Keep them in like it's Bonfire night?

The last thunder storm we had a cat ran away from home and got run over and I had to deliver it to it's owner who was inconsolable.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 09:58

I'd keep them in if I was in a part of the country that was going to be hit badly.

cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 09:59

Oh - and the Bonfire Bangs have already started in Cozieland. I heard a goodly number of them last night.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 27/10/2013 10:02

Yes- a stressful few weeks coming up for the cat population cozie. Our local bonfire is 9th November. Sad

Sparkling Cat will be in a lot.

OP posts:
EnlightenedOwl · 27/10/2013 10:04

just keep them in. Mine is not going far from home right now as stressed due to fireworks. He just goes for an amble down the street and back. He will get back to normal soon.

Lonecatwithkitten · 27/10/2013 10:58

It's rainy, cold and nasty my cats will only venture outside for the bare minimum and will spend around 23hours a day snuggled up on a human bed.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 27/10/2013 10:59

True Lone when it rains Sparkling Cat will refuse to go out the back door, but run to the front door in case it isn't raining out there.

She does like an 8pm ish snoop about and that's what worries me.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 11:05

Don't give it to her at this time of year - it's not worth it.

southeastastra · 27/10/2013 11:12

why are cats so scared of fireworks? my rabbits couldn't give a stuff

cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 11:17

Some are and some are not. I've seen some pretty nonchalant sort of cats be seriously concerned about bangs, though, so I'd assume the worst if you don't know your animal well.

SoupDragon · 27/10/2013 11:25

My cat isn't bothered by fireworks.

I doubt he'll go out if it's foul outside actually.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 27/10/2013 11:26

I don't actually think Sparkling cat is afraid of them. Our old cat used to try and get under our settee where the gap wasn't enough. Sad

One year SC was out and idiot neighbour decided to have a firework bonanza (nowhere near 5/11). One firework went off like a bomb and set car alarms off. I stuck my head out of the door and she was sat on our drive. Confused

My neighbours cats all 4 of them are terrified.

OP posts:
issey6cats · 27/10/2013 12:17

spare a thought for feral cats who have no choice, no cosy home to shelter in and if you know there are ferals around leave a shed door open to at least give them somwhere with a roof on it to shelter under or put a plastic tub on its side to give them a little shelter

TheNunsOfGavarone · 27/10/2013 14:08

Outside shed door is wedged open and I'm leaving the cat flap open too. And I've bought some cat food. Ferals are very welcome to take shelter but I'm hoping in my heart of hearts that a friendly stray might drop into my kitchen and adopt me. I lost both my beloved oldies in the summer and can't really make plans to adopt as I'm unemployed. But if a cat made the decision and took me on that would be different.

The house feels so empty without them. Old girl hated storms but old boy couldn't care less so long as he was warm and I so miss not having him snuggled up next to me.

Floralnomad · 27/10/2013 14:14

Nice as it is to leave doors open on sheds for cats to shelter its more likely that you will lose your shed as its when the wind gusts in through doors/ windows that it increases the risk of things taking off ,like the roof .

TheNunsOfGavarone · 27/10/2013 14:23

Hmmm, my shed is brick and attached to the house. It's not on the windward side so hopefully it will be safe.....

itsnothingoriginal · 27/10/2013 15:15

My kitten is in but she's not happy about it - been attacking the DC all afternoon Shock

It's awful here already so I'm not risking it...

InTheRedCorner · 27/10/2013 15:25

I'm keeping mine in this evening, tried to encourage her to go out just now but she looked at me like I was bonkers and is now curled up asleep next to me on the sofa.

I normally leave my garage door open for the hedgehogs that like to hid in there, it's brick but I'm thinking I should shut it all up tonight?

Rollergirl1 · 27/10/2013 17:26

I'm a little bit worried. We live in Surrey but are visiting family in Liverpool. Cat in in cattery. Do you think he'll be okay? It's outside.

cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 17:29

I'm sure the cattery would have contacted you if there was likely to be any problem - why not phone them to check if you're worried and need reassurance.

cozietoesie · 27/10/2013 17:30

Oh - and good luck to everyone in the potential zone. (The wind is getting up a bit here but we're outside the problem area.)

Blu · 27/10/2013 17:32

Cozie, depending on where you are last night's fireworks could well have been Diwali.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 27/10/2013 17:32

Wind really getting up here (Worcestershire) Sparkling Cat is in. Rollergirl I would think all is fine at the cattery. Very safe.

OP posts:
youbethemummylion · 27/10/2013 17:54

Our cat is an indoor cat she will sit on the window sill and watch fireworks or thunder and lightning no fear of the bangs but dare someone close their car door anywhere near our house she is off like a shot to cower under the bed. Strange things cats.

Corygal · 27/10/2013 18:01

Mr Cory is slumbering blithely on the bed as a couple of bangs outside kick off the Clapham fireworks. But he will freak at some stage, and be cosseted with extra Dreamies.

DidoTheDodo · 27/10/2013 18:38

My old cat used to love fireworks, to the extent that he used to get quite agitated if he couldn't get past the curtains to see them!

My boss has just texted me to tell me to work from home tomorrow (probably no trains anyway) so i shall be able to keep and eye on Didokitty when the storm comes. Seems to be predicted between 5 and 8am here (Kent).

Hope all are ok.