Pet care on bonfire night
For many pet owners, November the 5th is a very distressing time. Instead of being out with friends and family, enjoying watching firework displays and enjoying bonfires, they are at home, attempting to calm the fear and anxiety of their pets.
The PDSA are all too aware of the sort of issues that pets can have on bonfire night. PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, says: “The fireworks season is an incredibly stressful time for pets. We know why there are lots of loud bangs outside, but our pets don’t, which is very distressing for them. Many of our pets have very acute hearing, so the range of sounds adding to their anxiety may also be greater than we can appreciate.
So what can you do to help your pet cope with the load bangs and other noises that come with bonfire night? Here are some guidelines that you might like to use to make your pets and your evening a little calmer.
Things that you can do in preparation for bonfire night.
1. Construct a nice cosy den for your pet. This could be a space under a table, behind a sofa, or for cats who may feel more secure when they are up high, on top of a wardrobe or a shelf. You may want to make the den as comfortable as possible for them, with a bed and a cover that your pet feels comfortable sitting in.
2. To build a positive association with the den, reward your pet when ever they spend time there. They will then make the association with the den as a safe place to go when they are anxious.
3. In case your pet manages to escape on bonfire night, it may be worth having it micro chipped. You and your pet are much more likely to be re-united should you have this done.
Things to remember on the night
· Never take your pet to a fireworks display.
· Keep all pets indoors on bonfire night.
· Make sure that all windows, doors and cat flaps are secure so that your pets cannot escape.
· Try to keep calm and positive yourself. If you are anxious, your pet will pick up on your nervous energy and become anxious themselves.
· Should your pet become anxious, let them go their safe den and allow them to stay there until they feel safe to come out.
Pet owners should be aware of signs of stress in their pets. Dogs may tremble, pace, pant and become ‘clingy’, while cats may try to hide behind furniture, or attempt to run away. Both dogs and cats may refuse to eat and may soil the house because of firework-related stress. Rabbits may freeze and remain motionless, or may panic and try to escape their hutches.
If your pet is very fearful, ask your vet about long-term behavioural therapy. This can take weeks or months, but with time and patience it teaches pets that loud noises are nothing to be scared of. The evidence-based behavioural techniques used can achieve excellent results to improve your pet’s quality of life.
