It’s that time of year again that a lot of pet owners dread… firework season!
Sadly we can no longer plan for just November 5 as fireworks seem to go on for months and this can be a stressful time for our pets.
Now is the time to start doing something to make this a little more bearable and there are many products on the market, but not all will suit every pet.
Plug in diffusers are great but you do need to plug them into a spot where your pet spends most of their time, cats that roam a lot may not benefit much from these and if you have a large house then you may need a couple which can sometimes get a bit pricey. If you decide to use these then plug one in now so they have time to start working before the season gets into full swing.
There are now many types of “calming” tablets on the market and we have had quite a success with these over the past few years although, as with all of these things, they are not 100 per cent guaranteed to work but will usually “take the edge off”. Start using these now so they have time to get into your pet’s system.
Sound desensitisation DVDs and downloads have hit the market too over the last few years. These can also be great but they do take a bit of time from the owner as these need to be done very carefully and owners need to be very patient. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and follow them step by step.
We no longer promote the use of sedatives in practice, saying that occasionally with some cases we will still prescribe a low dose. This can only be prescribed after a consultation with a veterinary surgeon.
Try and keep pets inside. I know this is easier said than done with cats as we don’t know when our neighbours will decide to have a display but many cats will go missing over this season as they will want to run from the noise.
Make them a nice hideaway indoors now so they can get used to it and then they have somewhere to hide during the bangs.
Don’t get angry with pets that show destructive behaviour, this will make their fear much worse.
The key is always to reward good calm behaviour and leave dogs and cats alone if they want to hide away. Some dogs may prefer comfort from their owners but many will prefer to be hidden away somewhere they feel safe – let them be if this is how they cope.
Rabbits and other outdoor pets ideally should be brought indoors in their enclosures. They can often be forgotten but can very easily be stressed.
If you cannot bring them indoors, make sure they have plenty of extra bedding to hide in and cover their enclosure with a blanket to shield them from the fireworks and to block out some of the noise.
If you are planning a display please knock on your neighbours’ doors or drop something through their letterbox to let them know so they can take precautions to keep their pets safe.
For anymore information please contact your veterinary practice and ask to speak to a veterinary nurse who will be happy to help.
Alder Veterinary Practice, 58 Bourne Road, Spalding, PE11 1JW. Call 01775 766646. Opening hours 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am alternate Saturdays. 24 hour emergency cover.
