Help your pet avoid the bonfire blues
Preparing pets for fireworks season
PDSA’s recent PAW Report found that nearly a quarter (23%) of dog owners reported they are scared of fireworks. This equates to millions of dogs suffering every year while we celebrate.
PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: “With fireworks so readily available these days, the season has stretched beyond just one night. This time of year can bring weeks of misery for our pets, with fearful reactions including extreme anxiety, freezing with fear, hiding, destroying furniture, soiling in the house, or even getting injured when trying to run away.”
To try and help reduce this stress, here are PDSA’s top tips on helping pets through fireworks night:
- Get your pet microchipped, so if they do manage to run away you’re more likely to be reunited.
- Make a note of any official events nearby so you can walk dogs earlier in the day.
- Make sure rabbits and guinea pigs are brought inside – a few days before is ideal
- Keep doors, windows, cat flaps and curtains closed and secure.
- Make a snuggly den for your pet, somewhere they feel safe and can hide if they want to. If your pet does hide don’t try to coax them out as this is their way of coping, stay nearby so they know you are there.
- Playing moving with a repetitive beat, or ‘white noise’ can help to mask the sounds.
- Try a diffuser which can help to keep pets calm. Such as Pet Remedy.
- Stay calm yourself – keeping your tone, mood and behaviour as normal as possible will help to reassure them. If you get very anxious, or comfort them more than usual, this can strengthen the perception that there is something to be afraid of.
- If your pet usually seeks reassurance from you then comfort them as you normally would. This is a short term solution though, so if your pet is very anxious it’s important to find more long term solutions to help them cope.
- Never punish your pet – this just adds to their anxiety and can make things worse.
A pet’s first experience of fireworks can be crucial – a positive first encounter can prevent a lifetime of fear. PDSA is now offering a free downloadable fireworks guide for pet owners, which gives plenty more advice on helping owners prevent and manage fireworks phobia in their pets. Download this at www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworks
Nina continued: “Pets have extremely sensitive hearing, so what seems loud to us can be even worse for our pets. Plus they don’t understand what’s causing the loud bangs and flashes, adding to their stress. If your pet has a rough time this Bonfire Night then get help now to prepare them in time for New Year.
“Speak to your vet about seeing an accredited pet behaviourist. With a tailored plan and the right support it is possible to reduce even very severe phobias. This does take time and patience though, but can make a big difference for pets that are very fearful.”
PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information.
Mine try to pile onto the bed, and a couple of them shiver with fear. One hides in the laundry room. The neighbor a block away always has a fireworks display going on Independence day even through there is a display just outside town that is excellent.
I took my son to Independence Day fireworks when he was a few years old. In the middle of the display, I saw what looked like the face of the fireworks expert glow in a light. We found out the next day that one of the rockets had exploded in his face and a man with decades of experience putting on fireworks displays was killed instantly.
Each year, people die from mishandling fireworks. Dogs and cats have more common sense than people.