Fireworks

[Leanne]

Angeladeedah I went though a christmas and new year much like yours too last year with Jess and his cystitis, he didn't actally block though till March this year.

Its horrible isn't it?  I spent from the beginning of November 2007 until January 2008 with him not well but the worst time was during Christmas/New Year - I spent 2 weeks constantly following him everytime he went into the toilet or if I even thought he was heading in that direction.   He blocked 3 times during the festive holidays but because I was following him all the time I always caught it really quickly.  I was beginning to get OCD on his toilet habits. 

It is awful! I was like you and followed Jess everywhere, I'm still known to be paranoid about it now!
We had numerous cystitis episodes between Dec 07 - Mar 08 which was when he first blocked, then we got 2 blockages in a week, like you we were fortunate to catch it early too!

[Angeladeedah]

That's a good idea actually - Harvey loves to hide in boxes or large bags!  I've got a large sports bag that I could put out too so that he could hide in it. 

[Millys Mum]

Simon takes to ground in a cardboard box under the dinner table, its nice and secluded. You could start placing boxes about and see if any takes his fancy 
Simons has 1 whole flap and 1 half a flap so it is quite enclosed

[Angeladeedah]

Angeladeedah I went though a christmas and new year much like yours too last year with Jess and his cystitis, he didn't actally block though till March this year.

Its horrible isn't it?  I spent from the beginning of November 2007 until January 2008 with him not well but the worst time was during Christmas/New Year - I spent 2 weeks constantly following him everytime he went into the toilet or if I even thought he was heading in that direction.   He blocked 3 times during the festive holidays but because I was following him all the time I always caught it really quickly.  I was beginning to get OCD on his toilet habits. 

[Leanne]

I'm worrying about this already this year, we're going away the first weekend in November as well!

Jess the resident stress head strangely enough has never been fazed by fireworks.

Milo however seems petrified! I am going to take all your tips on board and see what we can do. If he gets really stressed out I'll see whether we can give him some of Jess's zylkene.

Angeladeedah I went though a christmas and new year much like yours too last year with Jess and his cystitis, he didn't actally block though till March this year.

[Angeladeedah]

Thanks - there's so many things to try!  I don't jump at them or run to the window to look at them so can't think they could get any fear from me and as I said they never appeared to be distressed by them before but the vet seemed to think that is what started his FLUTD last year.

Think I'll go with keeping the television loud and curtains closed and see what happens this year - I do have some hypovase tablets if he does have FLUTD again.  Vet gave me a stock because he was so ill for so long last year.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think the most important thing is not to react to the fireworks yourself.  If you jump or go to reassure them when there is a loud bang, you are just reinforcing the idea that there is something to be scared of.  Try to act normal and as though there is nothing going on outside. 

[Christine (Blip)]

It's not 'products' you need.  I agree with this from Sam's advice:

"Always keep your pets indoors when there are fireworks about.

Turn up the television or radio to help drown out the noise of the fireworks.

Carry on as usual - normal household sounds will help to reassure a frightened pet.

Make sure all curtains are drawn and try to leave the lights on as the flashes can be just as frightening as the bangs."

I'd add that cats will take their behavioural cues from you, so don't spook when you hear bangs outside!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

You can get a CD which is supposed to de sensitise them to the sound of fireworks.

http://www.fearoffireworks.com/

[Millys Mum]

Your vet will sell it but vet uk will beat their price hands down 

[Angeladeedah]

Ooh, I'll see if they sell that.  If not, I'm at the vets on Wednesday so I can ask there if they have any.   

[Millys Mum]

Theres a supplement called Zylkene that can help cats at time of stress

[Angeladeedah]

He never appeared to be stressed at the time so can only assume he hid it well.
Thank you - I will try all those and hopefully he will be ok this year.   There's a vet pharmacy nearby that sells Feliway - so will give that go too.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Always keep your pets indoors when there are fireworks about.

Turn up the television or radio to help drown out the noise of the fireworks.

Carry on as usual - normal household sounds will help to reassure a frightened pet.

Make sure all curtains are drawn and try to leave the lights on as the flashes can be just as frightening as the bangs.

A couple of drops of bachs rescue rememdy in drinking water and/or rubbed into the backs of ears also help to calm nervous kitties. This is something that can be started now.

A feliway diffuser (plug in) will also help calm.


If you know your pet gets particularly upset, contact your vet who may be able to prescribe a sedative.

Avoid building your bonfire too far in advance and always check for squatters before lighting.

[Kally]

lavender helps mine

[Angeladeedah]

Hiya.  Does anyone know of any good products that will help prevent stress to cats during fireworks time?  Last year one of my cats ended up with FLUTD which we think was partly brought on by the fireworks due to stress.  He wasn't well from fireworks night until January and I don't want him to go through that again - we had the worst Christmas/New year ever as I had to rush him into vets 3 times as he was blocked.  The nearest emergency vet was in the centre of Edinburgh - about 12 miles from me.