No matter the time of year, it is a good idea to start putting in some groundwork to prepare your pet for firework season.
There are various ways you can help your pet prepare for what may be a very stressful time.
Caring for your dog during fireworks
- Consider walking your dog during daylight or dusk as there will be less chance of bangs going off as it gets nearer to bonfire night.
- Make sure they always wear a collar with a tag and ideally a light and/or reflective collar/coat when you take them out in case they get loose and run off. Dogs should be kept on a lead on walks from early evening onwards during firework season, even if under normal circumstances they have good recall.
- You will need to ensure that your dog toilets in the garden before the fireworks are likely to start, as they may be reluctant to go out once they have begun.
- It is a good idea to gradually build up a positive association with an area of the house that your dog can start to see as their ‘safe space’. This could be a corner of a room, a crate, a blanket near you etc.
- If your dog is used to enrichment items, such as a Kong, then you can prepare a few for them to have during the fireworks. Activities such as chewing can be a great stress relief for dogs.
- It’s a myth that reassuring your dog will increase their fear, so feel free to provide plenty of calm comfort when needed.
Caring for your cat during fireworks
- Provide hiding places in your home.
- Cats can become more stressed if they’re outside during fireworks so keep them indoors.
- Microchip your cats in case they’re startled and escape outside giving you a better chance of being reunited with them later.
Caring for small animals during fireworks
- Partly cover outside cages and pens with blankets so an area is soundproofed and hidden but allow another area for the pets to look out of.
- Provide bedding that small animals can burrow in to.
- Consider bringing them indoors – this will need to be done gradually so be sure to plan ahead.
General advice
Adaptil / Pet Remedy products can be a useful part of your stress reduction plan in the evenings. These can be purchased as plug-ins or sprays that can be applied directly to bedding.
Start playing classical music in the afternoon and continue it into the evening. This will not only drown out the sound of fireworks but will help calm your dog or cat.
If your pet has a noise phobia or a specific firework phobia, it would be advisable to contact a qualified behaviourist.
Please CLICK HERE to find out about 1-2-1 sessions with our behaviourist.
