Fireworks Advice
Preparing pets for the Firework Season
Many dogs and cats will try to hide when they hear fireworks as this helps them to cope with their fear. You can help your pet by making sure they have a hiding place where they feel safe.
- Create a comforting ‘den’. This could be inside a wardrobe or cupboard, or behind a sofa. Pad it with old pillows and blankets to help soundproof it.
- In the weeks leading up to firework season, let your pet have access to this den at all times and, for dogs in particular, offer healthy treats and praise when your dog uses it, this will build a positive association with this space.
- A pheromone plug-in placed nearby can also help ( eg. Adaptil Diffuser). These pheromones are calming scents that dogs and cats can smell but we can’t. We have these in stock at the surgery.
- Your pet may already have a preferred hiding place. That is fine; they should not be forced out if this is already the place where they feel most relaxed.
- Ensure dogs and cats are microchipped so that if they escape from the house, scared and confused, there is more chance you will be reunited.
- If you have concerns about your pet’s phobia please speak to us for help and guidance. Noise phobias in pets are treatable with the right professional help.
Cats and dogs
- Take your dog for a walk well before fireworks are likely to begin.
- Keep doors, windows and cat flaps closed.
- Draw the curtains.
- Play music with a repetitive beat at a medium volume to help mask the sounds.
- Although it’s tempting, do not comfort or reassure your pets – they will feel that you are anxious too and their fear will be rewarded and encouraged.
- Never punish your pets – it is not their fault that they are scared and it will add to their anxiety.
- Let cats hide where they like – do not try to tempt them out.
- If cats are scared, do not pick up or restrain them as cats prefer to control how they cope.
- Bringing hutches inside is the best option but if this is not possible, partly cover hutches and other outside cages with blankets so that they have some sound-proofing
- Make sure hutches and cages contain hiding places and secure areas where they can go to feel safe
- Give plenty of bedding – this will help keep noise out and provide a hiding place.
- If you are having your own bonfire ensure it is nowhere near any pets.
- Always check underneath a bonfire before lighting as hedgehogs may be hibernating there.
Many pets become anxious and frightened when fireworks go off. Cats, dogs, rabbits and other small pets can become extremely distressed. Unlike us, they don’t understand why there are loud bangs and flashes outside.
Here are the signs that a stressed pet may show:
Dogs
- Trembling and shaking.
- Clinging to owners.
- Excessive barking.
- Cowering and hiding behind furniture.
- Trying to run away.
- Soiling the house.
- Pacing and panting.
- Refusing to eat.
- Cowering and hiding behind or on top of furniture.
- Trying to run away.
- Soiling the house.
- Refusing to eat.
- Stamping hind feet.
- Staying motionless.
- Trying to escape.
How to prevent a puppy or kitten from becoming scared
- If you own a puppy or kitten, there are steps you can take to reduce the chance of your pet growing up scared of fireworks:
- If puppies and kittens are raised in an environment where they are not exposed to normal household sounds (e.g. in a quiet building outside), they are more likely to be scared of noises such as fireworks as adults.
- During their first couple of months (the ‘socialisation period’) puppies and kittens should be gradually introduced to a range of everyday sounds e.g. washing machine, vacuum cleaner, television and other unexpected noises. Start by letting them hear new noises at a distance (e.g. in a different room) or at a low volume, then gradually move closer (or louder) over a few days. Stop if they seem anxious or nervous and start again, further away, the following day.
- A good way of letting them hear a range of sounds is to use a socialisation CD . Good socialisation CD’s include the sound of fireworks, so that when real fireworks are heard your pet is more likely to be calm.
- As well as helping your pet on the night, pets that are very scared of fireworks and other loud noises can be treated for their fear using effective behavioural techniques. This takes time and patience, but excellent results can be achieved.
- There are some excellent natural products which can be given to try to help alleviate stress (eg. Adaptil Diffusers and Zylkene). Please ask at the surgery for further details. Occasionally stronger medication may be needed.
- Tell your vet about your pet’s fear of loud noises. They will do a thorough examination to check there is no underlying medical reason (e.g. thyroid disease).
- Your vet may recommend behavioural therapy or suggest referral to a veterinary behaviourist or a pet behaviour counsellor. Behavioural therapy often uses a technique called ‘desensitisation and counter-conditioning’. Over time, this process teaches your pet that loud noises are nothing to be scared of.