My poor cat

[Klynne]

I have three cats. Two of them are very laid back. The third one is terrified of thunderstorms. I have tried everything to calm his furry behind down, but to no avail.... Any ideas? Storming hard tonight and he is a mess....

[Smartypants]

That's tough one. With dogs you can hold them. If you do that with cats, the next thunderclap could send YOU to the emergency room!

Short of sedatives (which I wouldn't do without a vet's advice), I dunno. Y'know, this is the payback cats get for being so damn aloof when the weather's nice!

[sparticle]

One of our cats is scared of storms too. I have found that, just as with little kids, if you show them that you yourself are not afraid of the storm and talk calmly and reassuringly, it helps.

You're not going to change the cat's mind. Once a cat has it stuck in his head that something sucks, there is seldom a re-evaluation. But by being calm and reassuring, you may help keep the cat from being too miserable. Just be nearby, and talk to him in a soothing tone. Don't try to grab him, lest you shake him up even worse and maybe even cause him to associate the storm with YOU! Just keep talking to him and let him know you're near.

And don't shame him by pointing out that the other two are not afraid of storms, or he may develop a complex and end up sitting in bars telling everyone who will listen about how he never measured up to his siblings....

[zenbabe]

ice cream

[Klynne]

Thanks S. You made me smile. Poor Knuckles is hiding, but I know he will live through this. I almost was able to coax him upstairs.

Give kitty someplace to hide - a cardboard box, or a chair with a big bedcloth or towel draped over it - this will give the cat some sense of security, hopefully.

[Smartypants]

Originally posted by sparticle
Once a cat has it stuck in his head that something sucks, there is seldom a re-evaluation.

Hahaha! I can't imagine you could put it better than that, spart! (Although you could replace "a cat" in that sentence with quite a number of my friends' names -- maybe even mine! -- and the sentence wouldn't lose any of its veracity!)

[zenbabe]

just stay in the kitchen and open and close the fridge door...my kitty loved the ice cream.......or anything human.....he would get scared...but nothing could keep him from running to the kitchen when he knew I had he fridge door open...

other than that...I say let him hide...he will get over it......

[sparticle]

Originally posted by Smartypants
Hahaha! I can't imagine you could put it better than that, spart! (Although you could replace "a cat" in that sentence with quite a number of my friends' names -- maybe even mine! -- and the sentence wouldn't lose any of its veracity!)

LOL! Me three.

[Magpie]

I have had and have a couple dogs that are terrified of loud sounds and thunderstorms - 4th of July and New Years are bad for em' too. One even broke off all his front teeth trying to chew through a metal door when he was alone

But with all the kitties I've had I never had one afraid of thunder. I have one dog I give Benadryl if he's really freaked, but I'm not sure if you can give it to cats. I agree with the suggestions of a good place to hide. Seems like that's the most natural thing a cat would do.

I've had a number of vets tell me not to reinforce the fear by being overly sympathetic (making a big deal out of it), but shoot...that's for dogs. Kitties are a different ball o' string.

Poor kitty, maybe journaling about her fears would help?

PS: DON'T ask Dinz for his advice on this.

[zenbabe]

just give the kitty a bath....he will forget all about the thunder.....bet the ranch on that.....

[masterofNone]

put the cat in a burlap bag and then swing it over your head for a few minutes.

[daverbee]

Wherever the cat hides, hide with him. When he sees how foolish you look he won't feel so bad.
He'll probably go find the other two to show them how much an idiot you're making of yourself.
We had a dachshund who was terrified of loud noises. Mags, he did chew through some sheet metal we put on the back door he had torn up previously!

Edited to add:
Be careful up there right now, OK? From what I understand, the weather is pretty nasty!

[sparticle]

Originally posted by masterofNone
put the cat in a burlap bag and then swing it over your head for a few minutes.

This is best done if there is someone nearby with whom you have not been getting along. Hand him/her the bag after swinging and say, "I bet you can't guess without looking what's in the bag. Go on -- stick your hand in there and see if you can tell."

[sparticle]

Originally posted by zenbabe
just give the kitty a bath....he will forget all about the thunder.....bet the ranch on that.....

HaHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!