It’s time to prepare for Firework Season

It’s that time of year again, when some of our pets require a little help to get through the noisy firework season. 

With the reduction in large/organised events in recent years, we have seen more residential fireworks displays. This makes it harder to know if your house will be next door to a bonfire night gathering or not. Thankfully, not all pets are affected by this phobia, but many are.

Despite this, there are some things that can be done to help them cope.

Firstly, we can make our homes feel as safe as possible for our pets. Garden pets, like rabbits and guinea pigs, should be brought inside and housed in a safe indoor enclosure. Avoid housing them next to heat sources like radiators to avoid heat stress, and try to break line of sight with the bright lights and flashes.

Cats should also be brought inside and provided with plenty of litter tray options, ideally one per cat plus one extra. Placing these trays in locations where they can feel safe, such as corners, can be really helpful. Close the curtains and consider some background music or other calming sounds.

Dogs should be walked during daylight hours to prevent suddenly being startled by fireworks whilst out exercising. Creating an area of the house where they can snuggle up and hide often minimises their stress. Remaining calm yourself helps them to see that there is nothing to be scared of.

For some pets, these suggestions are helpful but do not prevent them from being distressed. This is where we can help. Our vets and nurses are able to provide further advice as well as talk you through some products which may help. These products can range from shirts for dogs that help to reduce stress, to plug ins/sprays/collars impregnated with stress reducing pheromones.

Calming supplements or prescription-only medications aimed to help with noise phobias are also available. It’s best to be prepared for the fireworks starting, so we recommend making an appointment with our knowledgeable nurses and vets well before 5th November.

Of course, the best option for helping with noise phobias is desensitisation programmes. Unfortunately, these need to be started months in advance of the anticipated noise. Our vets and nurses are happy to discuss these with you, so you can be prepared for next time. Give us a call to make an appointment if you would like further information.

Best wishes,

Peel Veterinary Clinic