How can American cats enjoy the 4th July? People say that their cat is an important member of the family. So, what is in for them during the 4th July celebrations? What can the cat get out of this day of fun and festivities for Mr & Mrs American?
Almost everyone, anywhere in the world knows about the American 4th July celebrations. Fireworks and food seem to be the traditional way to celebrate America’s independence from Great Britain. I wonder what the world would be like if the United States was still British 😉 A fun thought. I am sure that it is not a fun thought for all (any) Americans. But it would be different country. A better country. Enough….
In addition to food, fireworks and festivities, some cities – such as Washington – put on parades and shows and events, which loyal citizens can attend. I expect more than the usual number of American flags adorn houses. Brits find this odd; too patriotic for our liking.
Most websites write about how to keep your cat safe on the 4th July. The typical suggestions are:
- keep your cat inside the home and;
- ensure there is a safe hiding place for your cat for when the fireworks blast off and;
- ensure your cat is microchipped in case she gets out and runs for her life and;
- distract your cat by playing with her…
The last one is the best. One way the cat can benefit from the 4th July celebrations is receive more attention from their human caretaker as a form of compensation for the potential and actual distress caused by the disruptions: guests and fireworks and so on.
The second thing a cat should get from these celebrations is a day of best quality food if she is normally fed boring dry food. Give her an expensive treat of finest wet cat food. Add to that a few human treats that you know will please her. Make sure the finest cat food is a type she likes. Cats on cheap dry food get used to it.
Thirdly, give your time and energies generously to your cat. How about a 200% increase in time spent playing and cuddling your cat? Buy a new cat tease in preparation or better still, make one. There is nothing better for your cat than time spent with you, particularly if a lot of the time you are busy working or dashing around organizing the barbecue for the 4th July celebrations!
Sometimes, a little moments when you are doing things for guests, it is possible to involve your cat. I don’t know if Americans give presents to other people on 4th July. I doubt it but if you do it is a great opportunity to spend 5 minutes playing with your cat as they love boxes and wrapping paper. That is the other thing that people all over the world know.
Lastly, what about some special 4th July cat music!
Make sure your cat gets the most out of what is exclusively a human celebration. We owe it to them.
Picture:
- Ragdoll cat copyright Helmi Flick
- Fireworks by Beverly & Pack
- Editing by Michael at PoC.
None of my cats are scared of fire works in fact the sit on the porch and watch them 🙂 My chihuahua’s don’t care either but my 80 pound dog is terrified.
Well, all I can say is brilliant. Your cats are amazing and perhaps a little unusual in not being scared of fireworks. I hope you are keeping well.
I think it’s because they hear gun fire all year long it doesn’t scare them anymore. And the newer/young ones don’t run because the older cats don’t run. I’m in the country every idiot has a gun. And maybe it’s because I sit out with them and watch too.
In Wisconsin you can have class C fireworks in your possession, but to light them off you need a permit. But no one gets the permit. I think the permit should be required in order to purchase the product. Permits would be granted only for suitable display sites, for shows beginning before ten p.m. to people who took at least a basic fireworks safety course. Right now it’s a free for all and people are getting hurt, damaging property and starting fires as well as creating noise pollution. I’m a pyro technician. I love fireworks, but I hate their misuse.
The money spent on shows is not wasted. People in China earn a living making the product, fireworks companies in the USA exist and employ people in many capacities, some full time year ’round. Shoot teams get paid. On the big shows our company pays for crew dinners at expensive places– adding to the local economy in that way. Our waitress at this year’s crew dinner received a tip of nearly $200! We also rent Ryder Trucks, buy snacks and beverages for our team, and sometimes stay in motels while on the road delivering product or putting on shows. Local farmers make money renting out some of their land for fireworks bunkers. Vendors selling drinks and souvenirs at the show also make money. It’s not like the money to fund a show is thrown away, it goes to a lot of hard working people allowing them to support themselves. The shows are a great equalizer, enjoyed by rich and poor alike.
But pets don’t belong at fireworks displays. They can’t enjoy that. But people can. Our shows are not just all noise, although Italian style shows are heavier on the noise. The most recent show we did included some beautiful effects that weren’t loud at all. I prefer color to noise myself. I know there is some pollution, though we clean the area the best we can. Disney has done studies since they shoot shows daily at their parks, and the environmental impact was shown to be minimal. Daily shows seem like too much to me constantly in one area, although they use compressed air to lift shells instead of lift charges, so that cuts back on a lot of waste and garbage. I think fireworks are fine once in awhile, away from pets, with permits, shot by professionals or those with some training to be safe, and following all rules for safe distances from people or buildings. I would like to see the industry itself work to being about these changes. It’s hard though. No professionals like those roadside stands or feel comfortable with that stuff being shot in an unsafe way close to people, pets and buildings.