Super Bowl parties are the highlights of some people’s winter seasons. It can be a blast to get a bunch of friends together for food, drinks, and football. However, some people do not consider the effects that a large Super Bowl party can have on their cat. Cats generally do not like change, bustle or loud noises, or strangers. Throwing a Super Bowl party can cause your cat a lot of anxiety and stress. But there are things that you can do to ensure that your cat stays calm, happy, and safe during the big game, or in case of very anxious cats or large parties, it may be best to move the party to a friend’s place.
Here are eight Super Bowl party safety tips for your cat to help everyone enjoy the game in the best way possible.
The 8 Super Bowl Party Safety Tips for Your Cat
1. Provide a Safe Space
One of the best ways to keep your cat calm during a party, especially a large and loud party like a Super Bowl party, is to provide them with a safe space. If you give your cat an area away from the main party spot where strangers cannot go and disturb them, they will be much more at ease. This should be a place they are already used to and enjoy spending time in, so this should be well thought through in advance. Set up an area, such as a spare bedroom, basement, or primary bedroom, where your cat can hang out and stay away from the party. Many cats will choose to simply disappear into their safe space and will remove themselves from the equation on their own.
2. Keep Your Cat Away from the Food
Super Bowl parties often come with a lot of food. From barbecue to burgers to sweets and snacks, people love to eat during a party. You should make sure that your cat stays well away from the food. Some cats will come out to check out the food, and you do not want your cat to eat stuff that they shouldn’t. The last thing you want is to call a stop to the party because your cat got sick from eating something. If something like this happens anyway, don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian for guidance.
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3. Lay Some Ground Rules
It is a good idea to lay some ground rules for your guests as they arrive or even send them out beforehand. You can politely ask your guests not to interact with your cat if your cat is shy. You can tell them not to feed your cat. Tell them not to go into any rooms with closed doors. Ask them to watch the front door as they enter and exit so as not to let any animals out by mistake. If you lay ground rules and let your guests know about your cat and how your cat typically interacts with strangers or in a party situation, they will be more aware of the situation and hopefully be more mindful and careful.
4. Consider Boarding Them or Hiring a Sitter
One way to ensure a stress-free party experience for some cats may be to board your cat or hire a trusted pet sitter. This can be an option for someone whose cat is highly anxious around strangers or has a bad habit of trying to escape when the door opens repeatedly, but is used to being boarded or staying with a familiar pet sitter. It can cost a bit of extra money (or a favor) to get your cat out of the house for the evening, but it could also be worth it to reduce your stress and your cat’s stress.
However, this can often be too stressful for most cats, especially those who are already anxious, with moving them out of their own familiar home to a stranger’s place or a boarding facility. This should only be considered if your cat is otherwise used to boarding or staying at a friend’s place. Alternatively, it may be easier and kinder to just move the party to a friend’s place where there are no pets or ones who do not find such events overwhelming.
5. Ensure Your Cat Is Wearing Identification
If you are going to have people coming and going from your house, you should make sure that your cat is wearing identification tags on a breakaway collar, which they should already be used to prior to the party. Many people do not keep collars on their cats if they are indoor cats, but you do not want your cat to slip out the door during the big game and disappear without wearing some sort of identification. If your cat gets out, you want someone to be able to call you if they find your cat wandering around the neighborhood. You can also get your cat microchipped, so if they are picked up by animal control or the shelter, they can scan the chip and let you know right away.
6. Try to Keep Things Calm
It can be difficult to keep a lid on a party, especially one as charged as a Super Bowl party, but you should try to keep the volume down. Try to prevent people from getting too rowdy or too loud if it is going to scare or upset your cat. That is something you can try to enforce in the ground rules before you invite people over. Ask them to try and keep the noise and energy down just a tad to help your cat feel calmer and more at home. Do not be afraid to ask people to quiet down a bit if you notice their behavior is affecting your kitty.
7. Mind the Booze
Super Bowl parties and alcohol often go hand in hand. There is nothing wrong with letting loose and drinking a bit with friends. However, you do need to be careful if you are going to let the booze flow. Keep your cat away from any open alcohol, as it is very harmful for them. You do not want your cat accidentally lapping up liquor. You should also be careful to keep your cat away from people who might be intoxicated. Intoxicated people tend to be clumsier and less aware of their surroundings than sober people. You do not want a guest accidentally stepping on or tripping over your cat or scaring them. That can lead to an injury and an unpleasant situation. You might want to consider a different venue if there is going to be a lot of drinking going on, as your cat’s safety and welfare should be number one.
8. Clean Up Afterwards
Lastly, be sure to clean up the party after everyone is gone. It can be tempting to wait to clean up the next day, but leaving food, drinks, and trash out can be potentially dangerous for your cat. Your cat is going to emerge to explore the scene once people have left, and if there are snacks, bags, balloons, or drinks lying around, your cat might get into something they shouldn’t. Be sure to clean up anything that might entice your cat right away to keep them safe and healthy.
Conclusion
If you follow these tips, you should be able to throw a Super Bowl party without disturbing your cat too much, but consider their personality. It is important to give your cat a safe space to hide during the party. Laying ground rules and being mindful of the cat during the party can also help. This way, you, your guests, and your cat can all enjoy the day without getting too stressed about it. For particularly anxious or sick cats, it may be best to move the party to a friend’s place instead.
Featured Image Credit: Arina P Habich, Shutterstock
The 8 Super Bowl Party Safety Tips for Your Cat
