No. 1: All cats inside the house!
The loud hissing and crashing of the first New Year's rockets catches most cats completely off guard. After all, they don't know that New Year's Eve is just around the corner and that many celebrate the turn of the year with colorful and especially loud fireworks. To ensure your cat does not get scared, run away, and hide outside somewhere or, in the worst case, run in front of a car, you should bring her inside in good time and then keep her inside! In this context, "in good time" means: Better a little too early than too late.
If you have a free-roaming cat, she will probably be standing at the door, meowing in protest that she is not allowed outside. It is important not to be swayed and let the cat "just go out one more time." The first rocket usually hisses up into the sky quite suddenly. Even a loud bang can send your cat into a panic and cause her to hide outside somewhere, not wanting to come out again.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Hol deine Katze an Silvester rechtzeitig ins Haus, damit sie dort sicher und entspannt das Feuerwerk "verschläft".
Oh oh... your cat is a free spirit at heart? To get her inside the house, it usually requires a lot of persuasion. Fortunately, we at Pets Deli know how to really charm cats. With our delicious snacks, you can lure your kitty inside and sweeten her "boring" time until New Year's Eve is over.
Snacks Straight to the Heart - Our Treats for Your Cat
On New Year's Eve, there will be fish at your place, and you're wondering if you can feed your cat some raw fish? Raw fish can be dangerous for cats, similar to →raw minced meat. Because raw fish can contain bacteria and parasites that can make your cat sick. You can read more about this in our →article on "Feeding raw fish to cats".
No. 2: Create cozy retreat spots!
Cats are prey animals. Since they should not flee outside on New Year's Eve, they need a safe retreat in the house to hide. Ideally, your cat already has a place where she likes to retreat to take her nap undisturbed. However, if her favorite sleeping spot is the sofa, she might prefer to flee somewhere else due to the loud bangs outside.
An own, quiet room that is as far away from the fireworks noise and possibly your guests is ideal for this. Here you can set up a basket, a cozy blanket, and a water bowl. Many cats also like cave-like hiding spots, so you might be able to create something similar for her with a blanket. Perhaps your cat also particularly likes your bedroom, in which case it is advisable to leave the bedroom door slightly ajar for the New Year's Eve evening, so she can hide there.
Keep in mind that if your cat decides to crawl under the sofa or bed, you should not force her to go somewhere else. Just leave her where she has hidden and try not to lure her out so she can try out the "cozy cave."
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Sichere Rückzugsorte sind wichtig für Katzen. Verkriecht sie sich irgendwo, ist das ganz normal, denn Katzen sind Fluchttiere.
No. 3: Close windows and possibly doors!
Ultimately, it doesn't matter where your cat retreats on New Year's Eve, as long as it is safe and as quiet as possible for her. So close the windows, lower the blinds, and draw the curtains. This way, you can at least block out some of the noise from outside. The same goes for wild party guests and loud music: Your cat's retreat should be as far away from the evening's spectacle as possible.
However, you should leave the doors slightly open so your cat can move freely. She might even surprise you and curiously visit your party in the living room. Just make sure that she doesn't secretly steal something from the party buffet that could be →toxic for her.
No. 4: Don't leave anxious cats alone!
You certainly know your cat and →her communication best and can therefore assess how anxious she is. In addition to calmness, safety is especially important for anxious cats. And who could provide more security on a loud New Year's Eve than their own caregiver? Of course, you shouldn't miss out on a nice evening, but your presence is very valuable to your cat and ensures that she doesn't have to feel alone and insecure.
If you can't be there for your cat that evening, think about how you can help her in other ways. For example, there are also essential oils that are said to have a relaxing effect on cats. It’s best to consult your veterinarian about this.
Zur Entspannung und Beruhigung
6 ätherische Öle, die du bei Katzen einsetzen kannst
No. 5: Stay calm and relaxed!
Just like dogs, cats are very sensitive to the mood of their humans. If you radiate calmness and relaxation, your cat knows that everything is okay. She certainly won't magically become calm and relaxed, but she will recognize that you are composed.
If you instead hurry around the apartment, trying to constantly lure her out, touch her, distract her with a toy, etc., it can only increase the stress and unsettle your cat. So behave completely normally and try to maintain everyday routines like feeding times. Is your →cat not eating? Don't worry, she might just be a little stressed. Just leave her food out and wait until the next morning.
