Fireworks and pets don’t mix

From now till the New Year people can expect less work being done and more noise being made as Christmas celebrations get underway. But this also includes fireworks, which is no fun for our furry friends and their owners.

Will you be at home to take care of them? It is important to make arrangements for their safety. Some owners will probably book their fur babies in at a kennel, while others will get a pet sitter to take care of them.

“All these uncertainties such as a change in environment and possible house guests over the holidays, plus upcoming loud events such as New Year’s Eve can cause pets to become extremely anxious”, warns Marycke Ackhurst, pet behaviour expert from Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

“It’s also important to note that dogs and cats’ hearing is far sharper, and much more sensitive than ours so, even if there is loud noise quite a fair distance from your home, it could still trigger an anxious reaction”.

Ackhurst recommends the following to help your pets during this stressful time;

• Keep familiar noises or sounds playing in the house such as the TV and some background music.
• Create a comfortable, smaller, space in the house for your dog or cat to retreat to when they’re feeling anxious. As a distraction provide them with a tasty chew toy.
• Keep outside noises and bright lights at bay by closing the windows, doors and curtains.
• For outdoor cats who come and go as they please, rather place a litter tray inside and close the doors and the cat flap, so they can’t go outside that evening.
• If you can’t stay at home with your pets, make sure someone else they trust is there to calm and reassure them.
• If you’re dropping your pet off at the kennel or cattery for the holidays make sure they have little pieces of home with them such as their bed, favourite chew toy and blankie.
• Ask your veterinarian about supplements to help alleviate anxiety. For severe cases they may recommend certain medication.