Fireworks season can terrify cats. Here's how to keep yours indoors, hidden and relaxed on Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve, with UK-focused tips that work.
Quick answer: bring your cat in before dusk, lock the cat flap, provide a litter tray indoors, close the curtains, and give them plenty of high hiding spots. Let your cat hide wherever they choose and don't try to coax them out. Keep the house as normal and calm as possible.
Cats are often quieter about fear than dogs. Instead of barking or pacing, a frightened cat usually disappears under a bed, behind the sofa or on top of a wardrobe, and may stay there for hours. That makes it easy to miss how stressed they really are. With a little preparation, you can make fireworks season much easier for them.
Signs your cat is scared
- Hiding, or trying to squeeze into small, high or enclosed spaces
- Crouching low with ears flattened and pupils dilated
- Refusing to eat or use the litter tray
- Over-grooming, or toileting outside the tray
- Hissing or swatting if disturbed
- Trying to get outside, or not coming home
Before the fireworks start
Keep your cat indoors from dusk
Call your cat in and feed them before it gets dark, then lock the cat flap. A cat outside during fireworks can panic, run a long way from home, or get trapped. If you have a 4-way locking cat flap, set it to "in only" or fully locked during firework periods.
Provide an indoor litter tray
Outdoor cats may not be used to toileting indoors, so set up a tray in a quiet spot. See our cat litter guide if you need one in a hurry.
Create hiding places, especially high ones
Cats feel safest when they can hide and look down on their surroundings. Clear space on a shelf or the top of a wardrobe, put a cardboard box on its side with a blanket inside, or offer a covered bed. A cat tree with an enclosed platform or a cube bed is ideal.
Check microchip details
In England, it is now a legal requirement for pet cats over 20 weeks old to be microchipped, and your contact details must be kept up to date. If your cat does escape, a microchip is the best chance of getting them home.
On the night
- Close curtains and windows to muffle bangs and block flashes.
- Put on the TV or radio to provide steady background noise.
- Let them hide. Don't pull your cat out from under the bed or try to hold them if they want to be left alone.
- Stay calm and act normally. Your cat takes cues from you.
- Offer distractions if they are interested: a favourite toy or a treat puzzle can help some cats relax.
- Never punish fearful behaviour or accidents.
Multi-pet households
Stressed animals can redirect fear onto each other. If you have more than one cat, or a cat and a dog, make sure each has their own hiding place, food, water and litter tray so nobody has to cross paths if they don't want to. Our guide on calming dogs during fireworks covers the canine side.
Pheromone diffusers and calming products
Some owners find plug-in synthetic feline pheromone diffusers helpful. These work best when plugged in a week or two before fireworks season. For cats with severe fear, speak to your vet. Never give your cat any human medication, as many common medicines are toxic to cats.
The morning after
Before letting your cat out, check your garden for firework debris. Keep your cat in for a while if fireworks are likely to continue over the weekend. If your cat goes missing, contact local vets, rescue centres and your microchip database straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep my cat in on Bonfire Night?
Yes. Bring them in before dark and keep the cat flap locked until the fireworks have stopped.
Why does my cat hide during fireworks?
Hiding is a cat's natural way of coping with something frightening. It is healthy behaviour, so give them space and let them come out in their own time.
How long will my cat be stressed after fireworks?
Most cats recover within a few hours once the noise stops. If your cat is still hiding, not eating or toileting normally a day or two later, contact your vet.
Help your cat feel safe this fireworks season with cat trees with hiding spots, enclosed cat beds and a locking cat flap, all with free UK delivery.