Bonfire 'Night' - ie weekend

[Dilbertian]

I know I should keep dcat in for Bonfire Night, but he hates being kept in. This is his first BN since coming to us and he hasn't used the litter tray since the first time we let him out. So how can I make it less stressful for him? Feliway? Catnip? Dreamies?

I hope that 5 Nov being a Friday will mean it's all concentrated on one week end, rather than the usual 2-3 weeks.

Beaphur do a calming spot on I’ll be using on ours & a tray with finely grained litter as it’ll be soft on his paws.

Worst comes to the worst try muttering “it’s one bloody night and you live the life of Riley so stop moaning” as you lock them in the kitchen.

Zylkene works for many. Additive (milk based) and instead of giving them a capsule you can empty it on their food. There's a thread on here where someone has some they are giving away due to the sad loss of their cat.

it’s one bloody night

Not round here it isn't. About 2 weeks non-stop. New Year's Eve they start at about 7pm and go on until around 2am as well.

Covid stopped all that round here. I’m sure one day we’ll look back and wonder what on earth we were doing selling explosives to the general public.

I mean usually you’d be reported for having explosives but it’s ok if it’s new year? 🤨

Are Zylkene and Beaphur better than Feliway? And are they the sorts of things I'll find in a pet shop, or do I have to order them?

I used Feliway and Zylkene at the same time, and they work in different ways.

I get my Zylkene off Amazon.

You can buy them on amazon or pets at home sell them.

The trick is to act like everything's ok. Or get a partner who plays call of duty all the time so the cats used to loud noises 🙄

Is he definitely scared of them? My cat is also not going to be kept in and has broken the catflap but he goes out on BN and comes back non plussed.

I have no idea, TheCategoryIs. We've only had him 6 months. My previous pets (many years ago) were not hugely bothered by Bonfire Night. They would do their business and then come back in. The cat would sometimes sit on the windowsill watching!

But MrFattyCat is a nervous nellie. He'd probably not go out in the middle of a display. I'm just concerned that he might panic and run in the wrong direction if fireworks went off when he was already outside. But being locked in makes him anxious.

I’m sure one day we’ll look back and wonder what on earth we were doing selling explosives to the general public
I hope so, they are still on sale in our local Asda!

Our DCat, didn't seem bothered last year so we won't be bothering to keep him in. DCs are more bothered! But we can just set up a cuddle area on the sofa for them.

I thought we kept them in incase someone ties a firework to them. I mean, it’s happened in the past hasn’t it.

@Allergictoironing

it’s one bloody night

Not round here it isn't. About 2 weeks non-stop. New Year's Eve they start at about 7pm and go on until around 2am as well.

Aaand - they started last night round here. Mortars going off at about 8pm. I'm sure there didn't used to be so many loud fireworks when I was young, just the odd noisy Roman Candle.

@Fluffycloudland77

Covid stopped all that round here. I’m sure one day we’ll look back and wonder what on earth we were doing selling explosives to the general public.

I mean usually you’d be reported for having explosives but it’s ok if it’s new year? 🤨

I do hope not. I love fireworks! But they don't bother my pair at all.

Per remedy is much better than feliway!

Feliway KNOCKS our cat out we had to unplug it because all she did was sleep. I guess the affect depends on how big he is?

If he’s extra nervous could you ask the vet if they can offer a mild sedative that would help him sleep?

As long as he’s been out most of the day the toiletting shouldn’t be an issue! If he needs it in the night you could let him out at 3/4 and that way he’s inside for the fireworks.

We have ALWAYS kept our pets in both over Halloween and Bonfire Night, there were some awful stories about roaming pets and fireworks in our city a few years ago that have utterly traumatised me. It’s better they’re a little uncomfortable inside than terrified/in danger outside.