4th of July Survival Kit for Cats
Monday June 29, 2009
The 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S., is the most traumatic day of the year for cats. If you live in the U.S., unless you pack a tent, hiking boots, and your cat, and take off for the high country, it is unlikely you'll spend a fireworks-free 4th of July. As with many of our traditional holidays, people tend to forget the meaning of "Independence Day," but concentrate their celebration on "bombs bursting mid-air" and barbecues. Although many municipalities don't even allow the "safe and sane" fireworks anymore, people still seem to find the not-so-safe kind. In my neck of the woods, some fools take the "bombs" literally, as they explode one M-80 after another. These can be devastating to human sanity, to say nothing of the poor cats' nerves. My veterinarian tells me that the 5th of July is the busiest day of the year for shelters - no doubt because of the number of pets running away in fear. Please take these tips into consideration as the holiday approaches.Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
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Comments
You all need to be x-tra carefull with the fireworks during the 4th of july time. 2 yrs ago we was havin a cook out like we do on the fourth down here in Mobile, AL when my sisters new boyfriend almost killed Skoot our family tabby cat. Sure we was all drinkin and blowin off firecrackers earlier in the day so Skoot wasn’t around. Later that night, Prince DA (Dumb A**), my sisters new man lit a firecracker and threw it under the truck where Skoot was restin. He didnt know Skoot liked to relax under the Dodge so I reckon it was an honest mistake. Still. Skoot was scared off, but came back that night. All I’m sayin is ya’all need to be careful.
Git-R-Done!
Luckily our kitties at home live in a rural neighborhood, so fireworks are no problem. Foxes that’s another story!
I’m visitng my daughters home and so far it’s been quiet. With 1600 fires in Northern CA already in the past week, I don’t think anyone is fireworks crazy this year!
Dang Shelby!
Sad though it makes me, my town no longer does fireworks. Even when they did, I think they were far enough off that they wouldn’t have bothered the vowels. But there is always some idiot in the neighborhood who gets illegal fireworks and sets them off. The kitties will hide like they do with thunderstorms.
The best tip for the 4th for nervous pets–close your windows and run FANS. The white noise helps take the edge off the loud fireworks.