Fireworks can cause problems for pets and their owners, follow these easy top tips to make sure your pet remains relaxed and happy over the firework season.
- On the evenings you expect fireworks ensure your pet is safe indoors and secure doors, windows and cat flaps
- Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened confused animals can easily get lost or injured and it is important that they are easily identified
- Ensure dogs are taken out to toilet early in the evening and cats are provided with a litter tray
- Draw curtains to reduce outside noise and play music or have the TV turned on to help mask the noise of fireworks.
- Ignore any fearful behaviour. Do not try to comfort your pet. The animal will pick up on your anxiety and this may make the problem worse and/or fussing a pet who appears frightened can reward this negative behaviour
- Don't punish your pet either; this only confirms that there was something to be afraid of
- If your pet hides in a corner or under a bed, leave it alone and do not try to coax it out. This 'bolthole' is where the animal feels most secure
- Try not to go out during such potentially upsetting events. Seeing you acting normally will help your pets feel more settled
- Speak to your vet about using the synthetic pheromones D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) to help comfort your dog and/or Feliway to help reassure your cat during the fireworks season
- If you are still worried or if the pet takes a long time to recover from the experience contact your vet for further assistance or for referral for behavioural therapy
Further information is also available in the Blue Cross leaflet on keeping pets safe.
