Cat Scared of Thunderstorms or Fireworks: Creating a Calming Hideaway
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Faced with a thunderstorm or fireworks, the best move is to leave the cat free access to a calm hideaway rather than forcing them out or trying to comfort them by force. A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science showed that a short-term environmental stressor causes a marked increase in stress behaviours in cats, including otherwise healthy ones, with strong individual variation in the reaction (see the study). Our home-setup guides are gathered in the cat bedding and habitat section.
Contents · 4 sections
Recognizing stress before it worsens
Dilated pupils, flattened ears, a low or flicking tail, unusual panting, or trying to squeeze under furniture: these signs often come before fleeing or freezing entirely. A cat hiding during a storm isn't overreacting, it's coping in its own way — letting it be beats pulling it out of its hideaway.
Setting up a hideaway that's always accessible
A closed carrier, a padded bed in a half-open closet, or a stable spot under sturdy furniture, lined with a blanket that already carries the cat's scent, is often enough. The key is that it stays accessible at all times, not just brought out on storm day: a cat discovering its hideaway during the stressful moment won't retreat to it as readily.
Reducing stimuli during the episode
- Close shutters or draw curtains to soften lightning flashes
- Leave a soft light on rather than stark contrasting darkness
- Lightly mask outdoor noise with a radio or calm background music
- Avoid cuddling a cat that's hiding if it shows signs of wanting to flee: let it come to you
- Never scold a stressed cat, even if it knocks something over or scratches in a panic
The same principle of an accessible refuge applies to other sources of tension at home: our guide reorganizing your cat's space when a baby arrives details how to preserve calm zones day to day. A pheromone diffuser can also help during these one-off episodes, as explained in our guide pheromone diffusers for cats.
Frequently asked questions
Should I give an anti-anxiety medication before announced fireworks?
Some treatments exist for highly sensitive cats, but they should only be discussed with a vet, never self-prescribed.
Should the cat be confined to one room during a storm?
No, it's better to let it roam freely and choose its own hideaway rather than confining it against its will.
Can a cat that was never scared become scared with age?
Yes, noise sensitivity can change with age or after a marking event; give the cat time to find its footing again.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.