Help your cat celebrate the New Year

Have you noticed that your cat does not look forward to the New Year's celebration in the same way that we do? Here are some tips for New Year's Eve for you as a cat owner.

There is much about the New Year's celebration that can worry a cat.

Over the Christmas period your cat's routine is often disrupted. Important scent communications in the home have been cleaned out, a lot of new things have been added to their territory such as decorations and Christmas trees. It's already unusual enough, and then comes New Year's Eve with more celebrations alongside fireworks.

Many such changes have already been "suffered" by the cat since before Christmas, which can mean that the cat is already more stressed than usual and may find it more difficult to handle additional stress.

Second, the actual celebration with dinner, music, lots of people and fireworks can be scary. The cat has no idea what is going on, other than that it is not as usual, and the sound and light of the fireworks can be stressful for the cat's sensitive hearing and vision.

Here's how you can help your cat

Think about what might worry your cat the most. Is it the changes in the home, the party or the fireworks? Then you need to help your cat deal with this, adapt to the cat's wishes and take this into account in your New Year's planning, so that any problems can be prevented as much as possible.

For example, you can:

Use Feliway, a spray that contains safety-creating pheromones.
Create safe places for your cat where it can go to hide and also have access to everything essential.
Close doors and windows and draw curtains when the fireworks are at their worst.
Turn on music to mask the worst of the noise.
Give soothing supplements.
Make sure to be there for the cat, if it seeks your support, by being calm and confident.

Is your cat an outdoor cat?

Don't forget to lock the cat flap in good time so that your cat is not outside when the New Year's Eve fireworks starts, or runs out when it gets scared. It can have serious consequences if the cat panics outside.

Change does not happen over one (New Year's) night

The best way to prepare your cat for Christmas and New Year celebrations is through conditioning. Playing firework noises whilst you treat or comfort your cat or hosting smaller gatherings before the big day will help your cat get used to the noise and fuss.