Fireworks season came early and in force this year in Boston, with nightly celebrations that can be happy for some people, but frightening for pets. Your cat may be scared by the noises, but there are a few things you can do to keep your cat safe and calm. Here are some tips to help you and your cat.

Safety First

• Keep your cat indoors - Sudden unfamiliar voices can be very scary and disorienting even for a street savvy cat.

• Make sure your cat’s identification is up-to-date - an updated microchip registration is essential to increasing the chances of a lost cat finding her way home. This is true for indoor only cats as well, as they may be disoriented and slip out.

• Take a current photo - it is likely that your phone’s memory is already full with pictures of your feline friend. Make sure to have a current one that can be used for identification in case your cat slips out.

• Ensure doors and windows are closed and secure - a frightened cat may slip outside in panic.

These tips assume that you are staying home with your cat. However, if you are leaving your home to celebrate, or hosting a party, there are a few more things to keep in mind. Follow these tips from Pam Johnson-Bennett to ensure the safety of your cat.

Calming Your Cat

• Set up a sanctuary - give your cat a safe place to hide and feel safe when there are scary noises outside. This can be a safe sanctuary room that has a litter box, water, and secure hidey-holes or cave-style beds. You can even make your own hiding area using a box and an old t-shirt.

• Turn on the TV, radio, or music to create ambient noise. Choose soothing sounds and keep the volume at a comfortable level. You can also muffle the noise by closing curtains and blinds.

• Distract your cat with interactive playtime, speaking calmly, and offering treats.

• Use a pheromone diffuser such as Feliway or Comfort Zone. The synthetic pheromone doesn’t work for all cats, but it is very helpful calming effect when it does. It can’t hurt to try.

More tips are available from Pam Johnson-Bennett and Catster.