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Help, My Pet Hates Fireworks!

As the dreaded (for some) firework season approaches, being proactive is far better than reactive when helping your pet through this period. Find out what you can do to help your pet, as well as the help you can get from your vet, in this week’s blog!


If your pet is showing these symptoms during the firework season, they might be afraid of fireworks:


Dogs:

  • Trembling and shaking

  • More clingy than normal

  • Excessive barking or vocalisation

  • Cowering and hiding

  • Trying to run away

  • Not wanting to go on their walk or outside

  • Going to the toilet in the house

  • Pacing and panting

  • Refusing to eat

  • Destructive behaviour (chewing furniture etc.)

Cats:

  • Cowering and hiding

  • Trying to run away

  • Not wanting to go out or ‘darting’ back into the home

  • Inappropriately toileting around the house

  • Refusing to eat

Rabbits:

  • Stamping hind feet

  • Staying motionless

  • Trying to escape

  • Dashing around in their hutch

  • Aggression

  • Eating less

A proactive response is far better than a reactive one. While the firework season is almost upon us, you can do many things to help reduce your pet's fear of fireworks and loud noises.

What should I do to keep my cat or dog calm during fireworks?

  • Take your dog for a walk before it gets dark, well before fireworks are due to begin, to avoid scaring your dog. If it is dark and your pet hates fireworks, play games inside rather than risking taking them out in the dark when fireworks may go off. Check our blog on playing with your dog for top tips on indoor play.

  • Don’t pick up cats or restrain them if they are scared: cats prefer to control how they cope.

  • Get your cat into the routine of being fed earlier (before it gets dark) so they are home and indoors overnight.

  • Keep doors, windows and cat and dog flaps closed.

  • Draw the curtains and play music with a repetitive beat to help mask the sounds.

  • If your pet prefers to go away and hide, let them. Leave them alone – this is your pet's way of coping and overly trying to comfort them or coaxing them out can make them more afraid. Give them places where they can hide, such as building a dog den so they feel safe and secure.

  • If your pet seeks reassurance from you in stressful times, comfort them as you would normally.

  • Stay calm. Keep your tone, mood and behaviour as normal as possible. If you get very anxious or comfort your pet more than usual, this can make your pet more unsettled.

  • Never punish your pets. It’s not their fault they’re scared, and it adds to their anxiety.

  • Get your pet microchipped and ensure your details are up to date - if they run away from home, there is more chance you will be reunited. Check out our microchip blog for more details.

  • Feed a calming pet food or supplement to help manage your pet’s stress and anxiety

  • Creating a soundtrack to disguise the whizzes and bangs can really help to keep your pet calm, some people feel classical music is ideal for this but any banging beat will do!

  • If you want to keep your c