Why is my cat hiding and anxious after fireworks? How to help?

Question

Can my cat have PTSD from fireworks? He’ll be fine and then all of a sudden he gets real low to the ground and runs under the bed. And all day he’s been either under the bed or hidden away somewhere. Pet's info: Cat | Bombay | Male | neutered

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Fireworks can be very scary for cats, and Crybaby may still be stressed out from it. The most important thing to do is not comfort him. While you think you are helping it, you are actually reinforcing the behavior and telling him it's ok to be scared. You can leave him alone for now, but when he comes out from under the bed or his hiding spot, give him treats and verbal praise. This will reinforce him coming out where you are in the home. Next time there are fireworks, you can try putting him in a quiet dark room of his own, and turning on the TV or radio to block out the sound. Feliway is a pheromone diffuser that helps cats with anxiety, and you can get one of those now to help him with his anxiety. Finally, you can him a thundershirt to wear the next time there are fireworks, as they are reported to help cats with anxiety. I hope this helps :-)

Why is my cat hiding and anxious after fireworks? How to help?

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