Firework Advice
Firework season is nearly upon us...
The nights are drawing in and firework season approaches, bringing with it a mixture of pleasure for some and anxiety for others as their animals struggle to cope during this period.
Small Furries...
You can help to set your pets up for success by ensuring that all small furries (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs etc) are safely secured away with lots of bedding material within which to hide and food and water access nearby. Consider draping some blankets or old carpets over any hutches to help muffle and deaden any loud noises. If possible consider bringing them inside or moving their enclosure to a more sheltered area for the expected noisy nights.
Cats...
Ensure your cat is indoors and has been fed before the onset of the fireworks each night. Various hiding places throughout the house with a toileting facility nearby will add to their comfort as they may be reluctant to move far from their safe place for the duration of the evening. Remember that cats like high places and these sorts of locations often can make them feel more secure. Consider strategic placement of some bedding up on a cupboard or wardrobe?
Dogs..
These are the animals that often struggle the most. If you have an anxious or noise phobic dog it is a good idea to start to prepare for this time well in advance. Desensitisation CD's or similar online resources are available and if used appropriately can be useful to help treat noise phobias. As a general overview they are designed to be played in the background at very low levels so they do not emit a response and are gradually turned up over time providing no behavioural response occurs.
Shutting the curtains and turning up the television can help to minimise the noise and lights from outside and to keep the indoor environment stable. It is said that Reggae music is best as it has a regular thumping beat...??!!
There are some dogs which actually respond better if you open a window at the front and back of the house - this helps them "localise" where the noise is coming from and also helps reduce the pressure wave that can be felt with the booms in a sealed house! This doesn't work with all dogs.
Build them a den!
Ensure they have a specific place in the house within which they feel safe - this may be a crate or a purpose built den which is covered, comfy and contains their favourite toys and treats. Get them used to going into this space to receive their favourite things and have lots of fuss so they already associate it with feelings of calm and contentment. Use lots of soft materials (such as cushions and blankets) to help muffle and dampen the noises of the fireworks. During the fireworks, if you pet wants to go and hide in the den - then let them do it! Do not try and coax them out.
Ensure that your dog is well exercised and has been to the toilet before the fireworks begin (do not force them outside when the fireworks are occurring). A meal rich in carbohydrate (such as pasta or potato) can also aid the feeling of satiety which can induce restfulness.
An anxious dog may seek comfort from you - if it seeks reassurance you should do this in a confident and calm manner (to refuse or to punish the dog because of this is likely to heighten the level of anxiety it is experiencing). However it is generally advised NOT to seek out or try to offer reassurance to your dog if he/she isn't actively seeking it out.
It is better to remain in the house with an anxious dog to prevent any injury (or house damage!) that may occur if left alone.
Some dogs may welcome a distraction during this time, such as play or training challenges but others may prefer to hide away. Allow the dog to engage in an appropriate activity it feels most comfortable with.
Medications
You can now buy our non-prescription VetPro Stress and Anxiety sprinkle capsules which are designed to support calm behaviour and ease anxiety. These can be very effective with both dogs and cats. Visit our online shop to find out more.
Cats can also benefit from pheromone diffusers which mimic the calming hormones emitted from cats are available to purchase over the counter or online Both of these are a natural pathway to helping your cat through these challenging times.
If you feel that despite these measures your dog may require further assistance or require prescription medication to help cope, then please contact the surgery to arrange a consultation with one of our vets.
One last thing...
MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ARE MICROCHIPPED AND YOUR CONTACT DETAILS ARE CORRECT!
Sadly - every year we hear stories of pets that run off as they are scared and then either get injured or picked up as "strays". PLEASE read our other blog about keeping your chip details up to date here.
