Remember, remember the 5th November!
Help your pet to cope this festive season
As the Autumn nights are drawing in we’re heading into festive season and with Halloween out of the way, the next celebration to consider is Bonfire Night. As we know fireworks, noise and parties can be quite upsetting for our pets. There are steps you can take to try and help them through, Wicstun vet Emily offers some sound advice;
Wicstun vet, Emily offers the following useful advice
Before bonfire night:
- Do a bit of research to find out if there are any local firework displays, will they be audible from your own house? Don’t forget to check if the neighbours are planning a firework display from the back garden!
- Make sure your pets identification is up to date – especially cats!!
- Make a safe place indoors in advance – create a ‘den’ which can be used to hide in on bonfire night. On the run up to bonfire night start feeding/playing with and even rewarding your pet in the den to make it a positive experience. The use of blankets in the den can be both comforting as they offer familiar smells and can also help muffle loud noises
On bonfire night:
- Make sure pets are locked indoors (don’t let cats out in the morning if they are prone to returning late at night)
- Take dogs for a long walk before dusk
- Close all doors/windows/curtains and blinds
- Have two sources of noises on at all times to prevent a moment of silence in which fireworks can be heard
- Act normal to reassure your pet there is nothing to worry about
- Reward calm behaviour
Don’t forget that rabbits and other animals that may live outdoors will need help too! Can you bring them indoors or shelter them in a garage? Music, blankets over hutches and plenty of well bedded hiding space will help.
There are products such as pheromone therapies, comfort jackets and herbal remedies that can be effective and for very severe cases, and only when entirely appropriate and in the pet’s best interests, some medications can be used to help. You would need to consult your vet for further advice in this instance.
The Wicstun team are available for help and advice 24 hours a day, call 01430 873219 for expert advice.
Find out more about Wicstun Vets here!
