pets & sounds of the season

A good reminder from Hill's about loud noises stressing pets out especially with July 4th coming up. And if your weather has been like ours, the spring storms have been a little on the wild side, I have never heard thunder boomers as loud as they have been this year! Darby O'Gill is our kitty that is scared of thunder. He gets in my lap during thunderstorms & it calms him.

"Helping Your Cat Cope with Loud Thunder and Fireworks
It’s not uncommon for a cat to be afraid of loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks. They usually display by hiding. A cat suffering from a substantial fear of loud noises may begin to display anxious behavior before the thunder begins. Rain on the roof of the house, bright flashes of light or even the drop in air pressure before a storm may be enough to trigger anxiety. It is important to know what to do when the situation occurs:

Staying calm will help your cat feel safe. You might even try to play with your cat to distract from the noise of thunder of fireworks.
Make sure your cat has a safe place to seek refuge. Cats typically will run under a bed or under a chair to escape loud noises. Your cat chooses these places because she feels protected and the noise of thunder or fireworks is muffled. If your cat has not already picked out a place, provide one. Try leaving a few kibbles of a favorite cat food in safe place to encourage your cat to go there.
Try desensitizing your cat to loud noises so the sound becomes normal. This is usually done by playing recorded thunder at a low volume and in short intervals while you monitor your cat’s behavior. This process is long and requires patience, but in the end your cat will be much more comfortable during a storm or near a fireworks display."



May you all have a happy & safe 4th of July!!