Argh Fireworks!!!

[Allergictoironing]

Happily settled in front of the TV this evening with Girlcat zonked out on the back of the sofa & Boycat snuggled on the bottom stair (his new favourite napping place), when the first fireworks of the year went off nearby.

I just about caught sight of the streak of black as Boycat dived into the living room & behind the sofa, while Girlcat sat up & looked wildly about for a few moments before following him there. He is now trying to make himself as flat as possible while she has crept INTO the back of the sofa (not as dangerous as it sounds) which she hasn't done for ages now.

I'm guessing that as their feral time was out in the country and the rescue was also miles from houses they may never have heard fireworks, or at least not close by. Unfortunately this is quite a "big" area for fireworks (don't even ASK about NYE here!) and also in the bottom of a narrow valley so the bangs echo up & down a fair bit.

When we had horses that were upset by fireworks we would drug them which is what my DBro & DSiL do with theirs, but mine are barely at the stage of stroking so no chance of getting a pill down them. I will get a Feliway Diffuser going, but is there anything else I can do for my poor darlings?

[cozietoesie]

I do pretty much the same as I did for the dogs. Close windows and curtains, put on a fire and a movie and stick rigidly - and unconcernedly - to normal routine in all other respects.

Poor beasts, all. At least they're inside and not cowering in some bushes.

[RubbishMantra]

Try some Zylkene, (you can buy online) it's like valium for cats. I always keep it in the house for emergencies - but have never had to use it. It's derived from a milk protein, so non-addictive. Might be an idea to try them with a small amount of cows' milk beforehand, to test their tolerance to lactose, avoiding a 'poonami' - not nice for cats nor you.

I heard fireworks going off earlier. It's like as soon as they're in the shops people are like, "Yay! Lets set off some explosive devices!"

Keep your cats in when dusk begins to fall. I do this all year round. They only have access to the Great Outdoors during sunlit hours.

Luckily my DCats aren't frightened by fireworks whilst indoors.

[RubbishMantra]

*...and reading cozie's post, thank fuck your cats have you to hunker down with. For some strange reason, there are seemingly "normal" odd people who think cats are 'fair game' and attach lit fireworks to their tails. For amusement.

[FannyFifer]

Thankfully my cat is not bothered at all by the fireworks & likes watching them out the window.

[Allergictoironing]

Mantra they are indoor only cats, so at least I don't have to worry about poisonous bastards who "tease" torture cats - one of the reasons (among many) that they ARE indoor only.

I will look into getting Zylkene; how do you give it to them (prays it's liquid or powder you can put on food)?