Is your pet scared of fireworks? Advice for New Year's Eve
Some of the outward signs you may see in your pet indicating they are very frightened or stressed by loud noises are:
- shaking, salivating or messing in the house
- howling, hissing or barking
- destructive behaviour
- hiding or trying to escape
As a loving owner it can be very distressing to see our pets so frightened and upset. What can you do to help?
- Try to muffle the sounds by closing windows/doors and shutting the curtains. You can also put on the radio or television to try to mask the loud bangs.
- Provide a quiet, safe place to hide. This may be an indoor kennel with lots of blankets to hide under, a place under the stairs or under a table or desk.
- Avoid going outside when the fireworks are on display. Take your dog out for a walk and to go to the toilet well before it's dark. Don't let cats outside and lock the cat flap for the night.
- Don't fuss over them! As difficult as this may be, it reinforces their behaviour and can make the situation worse. And stay calm yourself! Pets can sense when you are worried and it can increase their own stress.
- Don't get angry. The behaviour they are showing is because they feel scared and getting cross with them will make it worse as they don't understand.
Consider the use of products available, which aim to reduce the stress associated with loud noises.
- DAP diffuser or spray is a synthetic copy of the natural ‘dog appeasing pheromone' which is meant to have a comforting and calming affect on dogs. Feliway diffuser or spray works in the same way for cats.
- Zylkene capsules are a natural substance derived from cow milk protein, which is meant to have relaxing properties in dogs and cats.
- Prescription anti-anxiety medications or sedatives are sometimes used in extreme cases. If you feel your pet may require this please bring your pet to your vet for a full health check and consultation a few weeks before the noise is anticipated.
You can also help in the long-term with behaviour therapy such as a sound desensitisation program. This involves exposing your pet to the stressful sounds in a controlled manner with the use of CDs pre-recorded with a variety of sounds such as fireworks and thunder. These programmes should not be started at times when scary sounds are likely to occur. The best time to start is after the New Year. It is important to be aware that this process takes time [weeks to months] and dedication, but you will be rewarded by helping your loving pet!!
