We were incredibly excited to celebrate our first festival together as a family.

Gogo had been the biggest reason our year felt so beautiful, and naturally, we wanted to celebrate Diwali with him in every way possible.

The house cleaning had already begun days in advance, and surprisingly, Gogo thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. The dusting broom became his toy, the portable staircase became his adventure zone, and every corner of the house suddenly became interesting.

We decorated the house with flowers, made rangoli, and prepared everything with so much excitement.

Everything was going perfectly.

But somewhere in the back of our minds, there was one constant worry—

The crackers.

We didn’t know how Gogo would react once the fireworks started in the evening.

And honestly, nothing could have prepared us for it.

When The Crackers Started

The moment the loud crackers began bursting outside, Gogo immediately crawled under the table.

At first, we tried everything we could to comfort him and gently get him out—but nothing worked.

And then we realised something important:

He wasn’t hiding from us.
He was searching for safety.

So instead of forcing him out, we decided to make that space feel secure for him.

We covered all sides of the table with a bedsheet and surrounded the area with large pillows to reduce the sound as much as possible.

And slowly, he relaxed.

He slept peacefully under the table.

The next day, when the sounds continued again, we let him sleep inside our cupboard with the door slightly ajar for ventilation.

And once again, he slept peacefully there too.

It made us realise something we had never fully understood before—

Sometimes, it’s simply about having a small, enclosed place where they feel protected.

What We Learned During Our First Diwali With Gogo

That Diwali taught us a lot about cats, fear, and comfort.

1. Cats are extremely sensitive to loud noises

Cats have much more sensitive hearing than humans, which means fireworks and crackers can sound far louder and more distressing to them. Sudden sounds and flashing lights can trigger fear, anxiety, hiding behaviour, heavy breathing, or restlessness.

2. Never force a scared cat out of their hiding spot

When cats feel overwhelmed, they instinctively look for enclosed and secure spaces to regulate themselves. Hiding is often their coping mechanism—not bad behaviour.

That day, we learned that if Gogo wanted the cupboard or underneath the table, we had to let him have it.

Their sense of safety matters more than keeping the house “organized” during stressful situations.

3. Always create a safe space before the noise begins

If you know fireworks or loud celebrations are expected:

• Keep food, water, and litter easily accessible
• Close windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashing lights
• Ensure balconies and doors are secured properly
• Keep familiar-smelling blankets or clothes nearby
• Create quiet hiding spots using cupboards, blankets, carriers, or covered spaces
• Avoid leaving them alone during peak noise hours if possible

Experts also recommend keeping cats indoors during fireworks because fear can sometimes make them panic and try to escape.

4. Familiar scents help them regulate stress

We noticed that Gogo relaxed more in spaces that smelled familiar—our cupboard, our clothes, and our bedsheets.

Cats rely heavily on scent for comfort and security. Sometimes, something as simple as your worn T-shirt near their hiding space can help them feel calmer.

5. Your reaction matters too

Cats are incredibly observant and often pick up on human emotions and behaviour. Staying calm, maintaining routine, and not overwhelming them with constant attention can sometimes help them settle faster.

The Moment We Finally Relaxed

Once the noise outside slowly reduced, Gogo finally stepped out of his hiding spot.

He quietly walked towards the window and sat there for a while, staring outside at the lights.

Or at least, that’s what we think he was doing.

Maybe he was simply making sure the world had become quiet again.

What We Do Differently Now

Since that first Diwali, we’ve approached every loud festival differently.

Whether it’s Diwali, New Year’s Eve, or any celebration involving loud noises, our priority is always the same—

Making sure Gogo feels safe and secure.

We avoid stepping out during peak firecracker hours and never leave him alone during those stressful nights.

Because celebrations feel incomplete when someone in your family is scared.

And sometimes, loving a pet simply means sitting beside them while the world outside feels too loud.