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New Year's Eve is a time of anxiety for many cats. Flashing lights, crashing and clapping fireworks send them into the cupboard or over the fence. With just a few practical changes at home around the time of fireworks, your cat should feel much more calm and relaxed. Here are 10 top tips to ensure your cat's New Year's Eve doesn't go off with a bang: If your cat hides on top of cupboards or under furniture, leave him alone and do not try to coax him out. This 'bolthole' is where he will feel most secure. It is important that your pet can access his favourite bolthole at all times On New Year's Eve, make sure your cat is safely inside and the doors, windows and cat flaps are closed. Plug a Feliway diffuser in the room where the cat spends most of his time 48 hours before the festivities begin. Make sure your cat is microchipped so that if he escapes he can be easily identified and returned to you. Provide your cat with a litter tray Draw the curtains to reduce noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to mask the noise of fireworks Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your cat. More importantly, do not try to pick him up or restrain him. Fearful cats prefer to be left to cope on their own. Try not to go out during the fireworks. . Stay calm and act normally In multi-cat households intercat tensions may rise. Feliway and multiple hiding places will help avoid disharmony If you are worried that your cat is taking a long time to recover from the festivities call us.

Like pale-skinned humans, white cats or cats with white ears and/or noses are very susceptible to sun damage and skin cancers. Sunburn of the ears looks much the same as it does on us – red and flaky skin. After several years of sun exposure the ears curl and bleeding sores develop. Pale pink noses ulcerate and scab in the sun. If the ulcer penetrates the cartilage under the skin layers the skin cancer is very hard to eradicate. Prevention is far better than cure. Keep your white cat indoors out of the sun, especially in summer between 9am and 4pm when the most intense UV rays beat down. If sun exposure is unavoidable apply a waterproof, high SPF sunscreen labelled as safe for babies to the ears and hairless areas. It should be applied at least 10-15 minutes before your cat goes outside. The nose is difficult to protect but don’t be tempted to apply a zinc based sunblock product as the zinc could poison your cat. Tattooing does not work because the ink is deposited in the dermis, the layer below the one affected by the sun. If you notice any ulceration or scabbing of your cats’ nose or ears bring them in early to see us to prevent the cancer spreading to the cartilage under the skin.