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How to prepare your cat for fireworks: a home checklist

Prepare the house before the bangs begin, then let your cat choose where to settle.

Kieran Simpson · Published · 2 min read

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Your before-dark checklist

PDSA’s fireworks guidance puts preparation first:

  1. Check nearby display dates. Plan around the evenings affected, rather than assuming everything happens on 5 November.
  2. Check microchip contact details. Make sure the registered phone number and address are current.
  3. Bring outdoor cats in early. Practise an earlier evening meal beforehand if that helps their routine.
  4. Secure escape routes. Close windows, doors and cat flaps; tell everyone at home.
  5. Keep essentials accessible. Provide food, water and a litter tray, alongside familiar resting places.
  6. Reduce flashes. Close curtains or blinds before dark and leave lights on.
  7. Use familiar background sound. Keep music or television at a comfortable volume. The aim is not to win a noise competition.

If you are in north London, The British Uplift has the Alexandra Palace display dates and visitor arrangements. Check the dates near your own home too, even if you are not attending a display.

Make hiding an option

Cats Protection recommends a retreat, such as a cardboard box with familiar bedding. Put it somewhere your cat already likes. The box does not need a lifestyle brand.

Keep access to their usual safe areas. Shutting a cat into one unfamiliar room can add stress. Never force them into a den or pull them out for reassurance.

During the bangs

Carry on calmly. Offer attention if your cat approaches; leave them space if they hide. Avoid picking up or restraining a frightened cat. Consider staying home if yours becomes particularly anxious.

When preparation is not enough

Ask your vet about continuing or newly developed fear. Do this ahead of the season where possible: behaviour support takes time. This checklist does not prescribe treatment.

For ordinary evenings outside fireworks season, read should cats go out at night? For the indoor setup, use our first-cat essentials checklist.

For the environmental side of your evening plans, The Planet Brief explains what fireworks air-quality readings tell us. Those readings do not measure noise or predict how your cat will react. The British Uplift and The Planet Brief are our sister publications.

Sources

Researched guidance from Cats Protection and PDSA, rechecked 6 October 2026. PDSA dates its guide December 2022; Cats Protection displays no publication date.