Keeping kitty safe over the Fourth of July

Who's looking forward to the Fourth of July? or better yet, whose kitty is looking forward to the Fourth of July? I know my sisfur is not! Mia doesn't like loud noises which means she will be under the bed most of the weekend. I'm ok with loud noises as long as it's not a fire truck screaming in to the apartment complex with its sirens blaring!

Anyhoo... here are some tips to keep kitty safe this holiday:


1. Turn Down the Volume

Cats and fireworks don’t play well together. If your cat is scared of thunder, she’ll definitely be scared of the nonstop booming on the Fourth of July. Close your windows and turn on a radio — tuned to a station that plays mellow music — to counteract the noise of fireworks.

2. Keep Kitty Inside

If your kitty is normally an indoor-outdoor kitty, don’t let her go outside on July 4 or the surrounding days that fireworks are being shot off in the neighborhood. This will keep her safe from any number of dangers, such as getting lost if she bolts in panic during fireworks displays. 

3. Give Kitty a Place to Hide

Frightened cats will seek shelter, immediately. Many cats will run and hide under a bed or in a closet when the doorbell rings. Imagine what they will do when a bottle rocket goes off nearby. It will help your kitty if you prepare a sanctuary in advance. If you don't have an extra room, try a cat bed inside a closet in an interior room. Another suggestion is to rub a towel or small blanket with her scent and put it in the bed. Show her where it is well in advance of the 4th, so she will know it's her own "safe place." 

4. Make sure kitty has proper, updated ID

If kitty does manage to escape, this will increase the chances of her safe return. If she isn't microchipped, it's a good idea to consider getting it done before the holiday.

5. Get Her a Thundershirt

The Thundershirt, which has been soothing dogs through storms and other anxiety-provoking situations, is now available for cats to provide a sense of safety and well being. Recent reviews show that the device, which is designed to produce a light pressure all around the torso, is working just as well for cats as it has been for the canines.


6. Consider Tranquilizers

No, not for you (although you might want one!), but for your kitty. If your favorite feline is normally the skittish type, you might want to ask your veterinarian about a mild sedative or tranquilizer, just to get the cat through the day. If you're not fond of drugs for cats, there are some natural remedies that have a calming effect. 

7. Spend some time with kitty over the holiday

Try to take time out from the activities of the holiday to spend a few minutes with your cat, every couple of hours, petting her and talking to her. She needs to know you haven't abandoned her during these stressful hours, and the brief break will be good for you, too.

Have a Happy and Healthy Fourth of July pals!

xoxo,

CJ and Mia

 & 

A car ride... I don't like car rides!

I knew something was up when mom moved the carrier to the middle of the room and opened the carrier door.  I immediately stopped eating and ran to the bedroom (away from the living room where the carrier was now sitting).  Mom called my name until I finally poked my head out of the bedroom.  I still wouldn't come so she got the treat bag out and sprinkled a few on the floor.  I didn't used to like treats but I really like them now!  They are my weakness and mom used that to get me to come in to the living room.  Treats were scattered about leading me right in to the carrier.  Then that tricky mom closed the door!  Dammit, how did I let her trick me like that???  

I don't like car rides and I told her so the entire way to Wayside Waifs.  I really didn't like the car ride this time and threw up the treats I had just eaten.  No problem though, mom cleaned up the mess (in the car) and on we went in to Wayside.

We were at Wayside Waifs so that I could get microchipped.  Bayer was doing a training session with their employees and wanted some volunteers.  Mom didn't really think microchipping me was important since I am an indoor kitty but after I was found running around the apartment complex parking lot after escaping the fire on Feb 23, 2012 she thought it might be a good idea to get a microchip put in me.  You never know when a kitty might get lost or be involved in an emergency!  The folks at Bayer liked my story and might use it in their campaign teaching pet owners about why it's importamt to microchip your pets.  Isn't that cool?  Thanks Bayer and Wayside Waifs for getting me microchipped!

Since I got sick on the car ride over, mom decided we would hang out at Wayside for a while before hopping back in to the car.  I got to hang out in the sun room and meet some of the great people at Wayside Waifs that mom volunteers with!  Here are pics of me exploring:

This actually took place on Wednesday August 15, 2012 but lazy mom just got around to writing it up for me today... something about being busy working.  Whatever mom!