You hear a boom. Outside your window, the sky lights up with dazzling colors. As you move to take a closer look, your cat darts across the room, disappearing under the couch. You wonder: Do cats hate fireworks? Is your cat afraid of fireworks, or is this a standard case of the zoomies?
If your cat doesn't like change, anything unexpected or unfamiliar can prompt fear. And while fear of fireworks is more common in dogs, some reports suggest up to 30% of cats are afraid of fireworks. Here's what to know about cats and fireworks, including tips for keeping your kitty calm.
Why Are Cats Scared of Fireworks?
With each experience, cats learn what to expect in the future. To feel safe and confident, they need to have positive experiences repeatedly across similar situations. Since fireworks occur infrequently, you may not think about preparing your cat to feel safe ahead of their arrival. But why do fireworks bother cats, anyway?
Bursts of Light
Cats pay closer attention to movement than static images. So, light streaking across the sky in bursts of sparkles can draw their attention. While this can serve as pure entertainment for many cats, others may quickly learn to associate the flashes of light with the loud, sometimes startling noises that accompany them.
Startling Noises
Cats have sensitive hearing, detecting sounds as high as 64,000 Hz. Falling into the ultrasonic range, cats can pick up sounds far out of the range of human hearing, including distant sounds your ears don't register. Fireworks snap, crackle, pop and boom, sometimes without warning. Some fireworks make rattling or whooshing sounds similar to windstorms. All this auditory commotion can overwhelm sensitive cats.
Unfamiliar Smells
Nearby fireworks may increase associated smells of burning, gunpowder or other incendiary materials that can smell scary (i.e., unfamiliar) to your cat. Cats' sense of smell is more refined than humans', too. Since cats identify friends and safe environments by their familiar scents, anything that smells different can put your kitty's tail in a twist.
Fear of the (Un)known
If your cat's never heard or seen fireworks, they may automatically categorize this unknown as potentially dangerous and scary. Cats traumatized by fireworks — meaning they've had negative experiences during fireworks or similar events, like thunderstorms — may be especially wary. The good news is it works both ways: Associating fireworks with positive experiences can eventually help cats overcome the instinctive fear response to the unknown.
Copycat Behavior
Cats learn from other cats (or dogs) and may copy their behavior. They may even become more fearful if you react to fireworks with fear.
Genetic Influences
Any cat can potentially become scared of fireworks, but sometimes there's a genetic component to fearful behavior.
Do Fireworks Hurt Cats' Ears?
While you shouldn't worry too much about your cat's ears from inside the home, repeated or prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause damage, including temporary or permanent hearing loss. According to hearing expert George M. Strain, your cat has built-in hearing protection deep inside the ear structure, decreasing sensitivity with noise-dampening "hairs."
Cats' brains also trigger two muscles inside the inner ear in a reflexive response to loud sounds, which protects the inner ear from noise damage. However, this mechanism isn't fast enough to protect your cat's ears from percussive sounds like fireworks.
Tasty Tips
Signs Your Cat's Afraid of Fireworks
Cats can show various signs of fear and stress, though none are specific to cats and fireworks. You may notice one or more of these cat behaviors and body language:
Showing dilated pupils
Over-grooming
Vocalizing (meowing excessively, hissing, growling)
Hiding in dark, confined spaces
Crouching or moving low to the floor
Trying to escape
Drooling or panting
Missing the litter box
How to Keep Cats Calm During Fireworks
There's no tried-and-true solution for all cats, but it's worth giving these tips for how to calm cats during fireworks a try.
Offer Comfort, but Don't Force It
If your scared cat wants to snuggle or hide under a blanket on your lap, let them. However, don't force interaction. Many cats prefer to hide during scary situations, and that's OK. Leave it up to your cat!
Provide Plenty of Hiding Spots
Frightened cats typically want to hide in a dark place. Offer several cozy options, and let your cat decide to come and go — or camp out for the duration in a cat cave atop a cat tree, a tunnel or a familiar cat carrier.
Block the Light
Draw the window shades or temporarily cover them with paper or cardboard. This prevents your cat from seeing the flashes of light that may rev up their fright.
Mask the Sound
Wondering how to block out firework noise for cats? While you can't achieve perfect silence, you can muffle the noise with white noise machines or music designed to calm pets.
Try Calming Remedies
Cats produce cheek pheromones that mark territory as safe. Pheromone products, such as plug-in diffusers and sprays, mimic this calming effect and can relieve stress for many cats. If you're expecting fireworks in your neighborhood for a holiday or other event, start using them a couple of days in advance.
Some cats also respond well to snug vests, designed to calm pets during noisy events like thunderstorms and fireworks by applying light pressure. Not all cats accept them, however, so don't force it.
Consult Your Vet
Severely affected cats may harm themselves by licking themselves bald or causing injury. If your cat is very stressed, consult your veterinarian. They can prescribe medications or recommend other strategies to help relieve stress and keep your kitty calm and safe.
Some cats may also benefit from calming over-the-counter supplements. Ask your vet for the best option for your fearful kitty before trying anything out.
Taking the Fear out of Fireworks
You can't cure cats afraid of fireworks, but you can prepare in advance and build positive associations that can reduce fear over time. When it comes to how to help cats with fireworks, monitor your cat for signs of stress, promote a calm, soothing environment and allow them to decide where they feel safest. If you need support, reach out to your vet for advice. As long as your cat is safe and secure indoors with you — their loving cat parent — they're off to a good start.
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