New Year's Eve with a Cat: Tips for a Stress-Free Night

No matter the species – there's hardly an animal that doesn't suffer from the bangs, the bright flashes, the enormous noise, and the sudden shocks. We now know, for example, that birds in the wild suffer genuine mortal fear, sometimes losing their way as they panic and flee from fireworks.
Or you can already read in online forums, days before December 31st, that dogs and cats have run away because firecrackers went off early, completely without warning.
Or, after coming home from the New Year's Eve party, we find a thoroughly frightened and, in the worst case, traumatized animal at home that no longer dares to come out from under the bed.

All of this is hard to avoid in a „normal year“ (meaning with fireworks and a lot of noise). But we believe we owe it to our animals to handle this as carefully and thoughtfully as possible. Our responsibility as pet owners starts right here – even if that means, for some of us, not hosting the big New Year's Eve party at home.

So what can we do? The LucyBalu checklist for cat owners suggests, among other things:

• Never set off fireworks at home – not even if the cat is out of sight!
• Outdoor cats should be kept indoors for several days before New Year's Eve
• If at all possible: don't leave the animal alone
• Create a calm atmosphere at home, even if you have guests
• If you can't be there: prepare a dedicated, safe room in advance – more on this further down
• For cats prone to acute anxiety: ask an experienced vet for advice on herbal calming remedies – do this early!
• Spend plenty of time with your pet on New Year's Eve – if she's been played with, she may sleep through some of the excitement
• Give your cat time even after New Year's Eve too – she's been through something quite traumatic for her
• Only let outdoor cats out again 2–3 days after New Year's Eve

Fireworks and Cats – Creating a Retreat Is Essential

Ideally, we'd all stay home and spend New Year's Eve quietly, cuddling with our house tigers. Unfortunately, that's not always possible, and sometimes there's just that party you can't miss. We understand.

To help our cats suffer as little as possible from the noise and excitement of New Year's Eve, it's a good idea to set up a room especially for the cat. A warm, cozy, and familiar cave that your cat can retreat to is essential. The room should also have food, water and a litter box. Sometimes it also makes sense to leave a closet door open. Many cats like to seek shelter there, partly because they know the scent so well. Just make sure the door can't accidentally close and trap the cat inside – that would cause even more panic!

Darken as many rooms as possible – ideally with blinds, which also help block out some noise. Close doors to rooms that are closer to the action, or offer your cat the refuge in the place she usually looks for one. There's little point shutting the cat in the quieter bathroom if the bedroom is more inviting to her. You know your pet best – you'll know what to do!

By the way, comforting a cat can unintentionally reinforce panic. If the cat seeks closeness, of course she should get it. But if she withdraws, try to accept that.

Patience Is the Solution

And very importantly: don't be angry if your cat urinates in the apartment out of panic. That happens too, and it's understandable. When we realize that cats hear about three times as well as humans – meaning sounds are effectively three times as loud to them – we can imagine just how extreme some of the banging must feel to our beloved pets.

But if we know these things and try to attentively meet our cats' needs, New Year's Eve can be bearable. Cats will certainly never enjoy it – but as long as they're safe, and everyday life and, above all, calm return afterward, the turn of the year can pass with little drama.

So we can see – as much as we love this wild, reflective, once-a-year, and cozy time – it can be quite exhausting for our cats. All the more reason to relax on the couch with a cup of tea and cuddle extra much with our pet! 😍