Keeping your pets safe during firework season

Keeping your pets safe during firework season

As the holiday season fast approaches, you may be looking forward to watching and enjoying a number of firework displays, however, it can be a time of anxiety and fear for your pets. Without understanding these noises, dog and cats can become scared, frantic and can even run away if not kept safely indoors.

Animal Control Services see a 30% increase in lost pets around the time of fireworks, so it is important to ensure your dogs and cats feel safe and secure in their environment.

There are a number of steps you can take to keep your pets as happy as possible throughout firework season:

• Keep dogs and cats inside, with all doors and windows closed
• Ensure your pet is microchipped; in the event they do run away you will be reunited quickly
• Use a natural calming spray or plug-in diffuser such as Pet Remedy, which will help to lower levels of anxiety without medicating or sedating
• Set up an area that your pet feels safe in; this may be a bed or crate, with familiar smells, sounds, toys etc.
• Exercise is a brilliant stress reliever. Take your dog for a long walk so they won’t be so active during the evening’s festivities
• Talk to your pet, put the television on or play some music; keeping calm will help your pet to feel secure and calm too

Recognise the signs

Although cats and dogs may show anxiety in different ways, there are a number of signs and symptoms that you can learn to recognize, which include:

• Pacing
• Hiding
• Panting
• Drooling
• Decreased appetite
• Excessive grooming
• Dilated pupils

If you are at all concerned about your pet’s anxiety level during the holiday season, talk to your vet who may have solutions including medication or behavioural therapy. Your veterinarian may even recommend Pet Remedy! Whatever you do, never punish your pet for being afraid, this can make your dog or cat confused and more fearful. It’s normal for them to be scared of loud noises, and reactions can range from shaking and hiding, to barking, howling or going to the bathroom in the house.

It’s safe to say that pets will probably never understand why we humans enjoy fireworks, so until they do, it is our responsibility to ensure they are as comfortable as possible during these stressful times.