Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 19:25:35 PM

Title: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 19:25:35 PM
I cant do this every year, its breaking my heart to see my cats in such disstress

Lilly and Tramp are going nutts.....Neighbours 2 doors down are having fireworks.

Is there anything, apart from sedation tablets, i can get them for next year ?

Its only the 2 that are bothered by them, but they are really in a terrible state.......
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Mark on November 02, 2007, 19:37:52 PM
Have you got the TV on loud for them?

Its horrible for them  :'(
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Stuart on November 02, 2007, 19:40:29 PM
Aye, Loud TV or Music sorted mine out over the years  ;)
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Gillian Harvey on November 02, 2007, 19:41:17 PM
Have you tried valerian drops? My George is usually so distressed by the fireworks he's practically crawling around on his tummy. I started the drops about a week ago and ok, he's not comfortable with the noise at the moment, but he's a lot better than he was. http://www.dorwest.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VAL
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 19:42:46 PM
Have you got the TV on loud for them?

Its horrible for them  :'(

There seems to be a break in the fireworks so quickly writing a reply.

Yes TV on and lights...
Tramp is now laying in the litter tray and Lilly under table in Lounge
Hubby is with Lilly and I have been sitting on kitchen floor with Tramp


here we go again  :censored: gotta go  :censored:
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Bazsmum on November 02, 2007, 19:45:22 PM
I use the tv up loud technique also  :)

Have to admit my dog is the wreck here, Im actually quite proud of the cats as they notice them but arnt too bothered  ;) My dog wont even go out for walkies and I have to stand in the garden with him so he will have a wee  :Crazy: :(
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Christine (Blip) on November 02, 2007, 19:45:55 PM
Oh no, I so empathise - I have a similar discussion going on "Blip scared by fireworks for first time" (or something like that)  :hug:

Hope your little ones are OK.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 19:58:14 PM
Have you tried valerian drops? My George is usually so distressed by the fireworks he's practically crawling around on his tummy. I started the drops about a week ago and ok, he's not comfortable with the noise at the moment, but he's a lot better than he was. http://www.dorwest.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VAL

I just knocked on my nextdoor neighbours as She was saying earlier that they had got something to calm their dog down, She gave me the bottle and it was Valerian drops. I have put a couple of drops in Lilly and Tramps mouths. (dont know if that will work ?)  She also had a spray by rescue remedy that you spray in their mouths but i didnt bother with that one.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 02, 2007, 20:08:44 PM
Poor things  :hug:

No fireworks here and my cats are out hunting as normal............its only 2 Nov!
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Stuart on November 02, 2007, 20:39:24 PM
My Mates dog Cindy( :RIP: ) used to be absolutely terrified of them and would cower ina corner shaking violently :(
she did get put on medication to calm her down, which did help a lot.
Misty and Hamish used to Jump when a there was a loud Bang, and that's when I used to put the Music or Tv up Loud
they would still hear the Bangs but were less concerned.

Poor Tramp and Lilly :( give them a comforting  :hug: from me  :Luv:
 :censored: firework's  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Mark on November 02, 2007, 20:44:29 PM
The advice in the vets yesterday is not to try to pacify them as they will sense something is wrong. It says as hard as it is, ignore them - well just carry on as normal.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: pappilon on November 02, 2007, 21:12:56 PM
It started in our area tonight , and Phoebe is hiding in my wardrobe :scared:, but boy sleeping like a log....

Its tomorrow night i am worried about , imagine all the ones which are in rescues and there are no radio or TV to turn on for them and the wild life :(

BTW, I tried rescue remedy , few weeks back when it started, and it didnt make any different? I think it works for some but not for Phoebe.

OOk, i am going to seat with her now for a while till she calms down.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Christine (Blip) on November 02, 2007, 21:15:03 PM
Not that this is constructive, but when I tried to pacify Blip yesterday evening, she scratched my wrist - and she never does that, ever  :scared:

Tonight we are all together (my OH was out yesterday evening and I am sure that was a contributory factor to Blips unease) and we have battened down the hatches with classical music playing rather more loudly than usual.

Blip is alert, but calm (touch wood)
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 21:26:14 PM
All over !!!

I got myself really upset tonight, ended up in tears as i couldnt stand to see my babies in such a state.

Hope Phoebe is ok pappilon - poor baby.

When i worked in the cattery i used to feel so sorry for the cats. The lights were left on and the Radio but last year the girl on the evening shift forgot to put the lights on and a Cat died that year ! She was found dead on the floor the following morning.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Teresa Pawcats on November 02, 2007, 21:26:49 PM
The idiots at the back of us about 100yards have lit the biggest bonfire and have spent £1500 on fireworks,poor Anastasia who is normally almost deaf has had a rude awakening and is terrified; I just thank God that these poor babies are no longer on the streets.
Think I need to do some urgent moving about ready for tomorrow. Mine constanly listen to classical fm but it doesnt compare with the awful noise these modern fireworks make; roll on Easter.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Catjane on November 02, 2007, 21:29:06 PM
The advice in the vets yesterday is not to try to pacify them as they will sense something is wrong. It says as hard as it is, ignore them - well just carry on as normal.
Took the words right out of my mouth!

My three were looking a little oopsy when the bangs started, but I carried on as usual and within minutes they were settled again, and have been all evening :)  They had a bigger reaction last year (their first guy fawkes) but keeping nonchalant seemed to help a lot.

Having said that, I know some animals are absolutely terrified and no amount of ignoring them is going to help.  What makes me mad is that, WHY should we (well some of you) be at your wits end trying to find DRUGS! FGS to dope up your animals because of some stupid, anti-social event that has got way out of hand over the years.  It really is not on ... Ban fireworks, I say.  My poor lot had to stay in all day today (and will tomorrow ... AND on the 5th) just in case I don't get home before dark as there's no way I'm letting them stay out once the blitz starts.

Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 02, 2007, 21:34:56 PM
I am all for bringing in a ban that keeps fireworks just for large displays and only on the 5th ! At least we get it over and done with on one night !!

My lot arnt allowed at a night but some idiots even let fireworks off in the day - whats the point of that ??

p.s
Willow is on one of her walk abouts - been gone 2 days again !!   She must have been so frightened tonight, where ever she is ??!!!!
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Catjane on November 02, 2007, 21:47:13 PM
I am all for bringing in a ban that keeps fireworks just for large displays and only on the 5th ! At least we get it over and done with on one night !!

My lot arnt allowed at a night but some idiots even let fireworks off in the day - whats the point of that ??

p.s
Willow is on one of her walk abouts - been gone 2 days again !!   She must have been so frightened tonight, where ever she is ??!!!!
Aww Michelle - it's hard not to worry, isn't it?  I'm sure Willow has found a nice, safe spot away from any 'action' ... and she may not be as frightened as you fear she is.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: bluecat on November 02, 2007, 22:06:00 PM
A FEW BANGS ROUND HERE BUT MARY IS UNFAZED AND SLEEPING ON THE SOFA  :Luv: 

ALWAYS THINK ORGANISED DISPLAYS ARE SO MUCH BETER AND SAFER THAN AT HOME AND OUT OF THE WAY HOPEFULLY OF PETS
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Stuart on November 02, 2007, 22:10:49 PM
Like a lot of you have said, and I just remembered, when there was loud bangs " I maybe swore, But I didn't react to them. and would just turn volume Up then " I think that's the secret, dont show any concern !!
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: lilycat on November 02, 2007, 22:11:13 PM
Thanks to Gillian I got some Scullcap and Valerian tablets for Dave and he's really not bothering with the fireworks...I got them for his anxious peeing but they're working with airbombs as well  :)
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Ralph's mum (angie) on November 03, 2007, 10:42:57 AM
I got Max some Serene-UM drops from vets uk they arrived yesterday, so I am going to give them ago, anyone tried them or know about them
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: lilycat on November 03, 2007, 11:31:09 AM
I got some Serene-UM from PAH and gave them a go with Dave...they did calm him down quite a lot but the tablets are quite big, which could be a downside - Dave's good at taking meds but even he was having bother with them.

I changed to the Scullcap and Valerian [which are somewhat smaller] and he takes them well but over yesterday and today he seems to have gotten a bit skittish again, mind you..that could well be due the increase in fireworks.

I'd defo try the Serene-UM though Angie and see how Max gets on with them  :) Oh and according to the write up, there are no probs with giving Serene-UM long term; I just thought that herbal would be a better option.

 :luck:
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 03, 2007, 11:50:23 AM
Willow came home at 2.30AM and I will try to keep her under house arrest for the next few days!!

It was actually Tramp who was the worse last night, I didnt have him this time last year so didnt know how he would be but i thought as he was a stray last year it wouldnt have bothered him.
Title: Re: Calming down my cats
Post by: Gillian Harvey on November 03, 2007, 14:55:00 PM
I just knocked on my nextdoor neighbours as She was saying earlier that they had got something to calm their dog down, She gave me the bottle and it was Valerian drops. I have put a couple of drops in Lilly and Tramps mouths. (dont know if that will work ?) 

Yes, you can put it directly in their mouths, but also in their food, thats what I've been doing when I feed them every morning or evening, just a couple of drops in George's food - he doesnt seem to notice it.