How to Keep a Cat Safe During a Super Bowl Party: 7 Expert Tips

The Super Bowl is a time for family, friends, food, and frightened pets. That’s right—although you’re having a ton of fun, many cats are scared and anxious during the loud parties that come along with the year’s biggest game.

If you’re planning a watch party this year, you can have lots of fun and help your cat feel comfortable by making a few preparations before the party gets started. Here are seven quick tips to help you.

The 7 Tips How to Keep a Cat Safe During a Super Bowl Party

1. Make a Safe Room

Your cat probably won’t want to be under your foot while you watch the game, so it’s important to make sure that they have their own space that is quiet and safe. Consider turning a bedroom or office into a safe room with water, a comfortable bed, and anything else your cat might need. You can also play calm music or white noise to muffle sounds if you expect your party to get loud.

2. Keep Cats Inside

If your cats have outdoor privileges, revoke them for the night. Super Bowl Sunday is a hectic day, with more drunk drivers on the road and other hazards. In some areas, your neighbors might round out the night with a bonfire or fireworks. All of this makes it much more likely that your cat will get scared or injured if you let it outside for the evening.

3. Consider CBD Oil or Hemp Treats

If your cat is an especially anxious sort, you might want to consider hemp treats or CBD oil to help it stay calm. CBD products for cats are often used to treat anxiety and are generally considered safe as long as you follow recommended dosages. However, you should test out whatever product you plan to use beforehand when you can monitor your cat closely for signs of a bad reaction.

4. Keep Food, Alcohol, and Caffeine Out of Reach

The Super Bowl might mean good eating for you but not for your cat. The sugary, fatty, salty snack foods that make up your game day spread aren’t very good for cats, and some treats can be dangerous. Keep an extra close eye on your drinks—both alcohol and caffeine are toxic to cats, and while most pets avoid it, you don’t want to take any chances.

5. Be Aware of Noise Levels

Don’t be afraid to have fun, but if you know you’re a Super Bowl shouter, be aware. Get an idea of how much your cat reacts to noise and how much noise filters into your cat’s space. If your party is going to be noisy, keep your cat as far as possible from the watch room and try to be considerate.

6. Check on Them Occasionally

Don’t leave your cat alone all night—make sure to check in now and then. In between plays, you might want to take a break to see if your cat is happy and healthy. Just hearing and seeing that you’re calm and happy can help out an anxious cat and taking a few breathers throughout the game is probably good for you too.

7. Secure Your Trash

Once the party is over, the cleanup begins. If your house looks like a bomb went off by the end of the party, you probably don’t want your cat to be roaming free. And just like the snack table, the trash can may become a hazard. Take out the trash before you let your cat out or use a can that securely closes so that any drinks and snacks that might be dangerous to your cat are out of reach.

Last Thoughts

Your cats don’t appreciate noisy parties, but that doesn’t mean you have to give it up entirely. You can make sure that your cats are safe first so that you can party stress-free. Just a few preparations can make it so that the “cat’s party” upstairs is just as fun as the main event in your living room.

Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock