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: © iStock Photo/Jon Helgason
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Comments
We live about 6 miles from Disneyland and every night around 9:30 they set off fireworks, they set off even more of them during the summer but at about the same time. Our cats have become so used to the noise it doesn’t bother them at all.
BUT — we also live in one of the cities that allows fireworks from the 3rd thru the 5th (only — supposedly!). These fireworks send the cats under the bed. While today is only June 30th we started hearing them on the next block last night. They make me jump so it is no wonder that is scares the girls.
Thanks for warning people to keep their babies safe!