Sadie is very afraid of loud noises, particularly thunderstorms or fireworks*. (If anyone has suggestions to help us with this, we'd appreciate it.) When a storm comes, she will hide in a far-back corner of the basement. Eventually, she'll emerge and sit by the back door.
Here she is in her "safe spot."
*When she is scared, we generally let her hide or do whatever she feels is safest. We just wish she didn't have to feel so scared. :-(
Aww, Sadie, we can't help, because thunder storms don't really bother us, though sometimes heavy equipment in our complex will unsettle us if we're out in the garden. It's our human who's afraid of thunder storms!
ReplyDeleteHmm, not sure I'd sit that close to the door if I was scared of storms - the poor thing. I've never used them - and don't know if Sadie would buy into the theory - but I believe Thundershirts makes a cat version.
ReplyDeleteOur Calico cat Gertrude is the very same way. She cannot be in the house when the washing machine is going and when the air conditioner comes on, she has to leave too. She can go outside so she is lucky. She doesn't much like the fan in the bedroom either so Sadie we understand perfectly. Maybe Calicoes have sensitive ears.
ReplyDeleteSadie when it rains on the roof, my sister BOO runs and hides utb. Rain. Smain. What's a little rain I ask her? But she is an scaredy cat. It takes her hours to come out even after the rain has stopped. Now don't get me started on how she is when it thunders!
ReplyDeleteAw, poor Sadie! Have you thought of getting her a Thundershirt? That is supposed to help both dogs and kitties who get scared during storms.
ReplyDeleteRescue Remedy?
ReplyDeleteWhat has helped us most has been desensitizing by repeated exposure, which would not be fun at all for Sadie. We get thunderstorms daily for much of the year and live where we can hear fireworks nearly every night. We have heard about using recordings to desensitize dogs to thunderstorms, but we aren't sure that would work on cats.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a safe spot. Ours is usually under the bed.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have an answer but we can commiserate. Pat's dog Samson would hide behind the toilet downstairs during thunderstorms.
ReplyDeleteI have kitties who hide with thunder, too.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was a way we could reassure them like you would do with a child.
For those reading this, check out my cat blog for archived stories about the abandoned/feral cat colony I manage.
http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/
I think loud noises hurt their super sensitive ears. Tiny is the same way. He'll run for the hills when it starts to rain hard. It's good they have a safe place they can run to.
ReplyDeleteOur Sasha is the same, he runs and hides and can be difficult to find because he finds furry good hiding places. He doesn't cry just hides and our bean brofur can always find him.
ReplyDeleteWe thinks Sadie is smart to find her safe place, as long as it is inside with you.
Sasha, Sami, & Saku
You might try a calming collar! But providing a place where she feels safe (which it seems you have done) is the best. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDelete