For many of us, Bonfire Night is a high point of the year, with lots of socialising, weird hot picnics in the dark and of course. But the noise, excitement and beauty of the fireworks can be traumatic for pets. Is there anything you can you do to help? Mandy Walters, Small Animal Practice Manager & Head Nurse at Damory Vets has a few suggestions…
Animals of course have very acute hearing – loud bangs from fireworks can genuinely scare your pets, even cause pain in their ears. Here’s our best tips to reduce and relieve their anxiety:
Keep your dogs and cats inside
If you are a dog owner, make sure your dog is walked earlier in the day so you don’t have to take them out when fireworks are being let off.
Make sure that they have a safe space they can hide in and feel comfortable. Closing windows and doors will block out some of the noise, and if you have a cat flap, make sure you lock it or block it off to make sure a cat
can’t make a dashing escape.
Ambient noise
You can also block out some of the noise from the fireworks
by turning on the TV or radio (not too loudly). Classical music has been found to have a relaxing effect on animals, with many kennels and rehoming centres using the power of classical music to help keep animals calm. For the last three years, ClassicFM has played a ‘PetSounds’ programme for Bonfire Night.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets
Smaller animals are easilyfrightened – we suggest that hutches/cages and enclosures are bought into a quiet room indoors if possible, or inside a garage or shed. If you aren’t able to do this, you should turn the hutch/cage or enclosure around so it is facing a wall or fence. Putting in extra bedding can help your pet to feel a bit safer.
Extra help
You can also get some aids from your local veterinary practice to help calm pets, such as sprays and diffusers which can be purchased over the counter. Prescription drugs can also be used, although these would need to be dispensed by a vet.
