Vital Pet Health

Author: Paul Manktelow BVMS MSc MRCVS.

In recent years the cost of fireworks has fallen considerably while the availability and variety of these   explosive products has seen a sharp rise. These recent changes are very worrying for owners as it means terrifying nights for our pets are on the increase.

Neighbours who put on fireworks displays may entertain the local residents but the harsh reality is that such events cause considerable stress for our pets. It seems that fireworks displays are no longer reserved for Bonfire Night or New Year’s Eve. The noise from fireworks can now extend over days, even weeks.

Prepare your pet to cope

Preparing your pet to cope with these stressful occasions can ease the discomfort felt by the whole family. Preparations for firework nights need to put in place well before so that you can avoid as much of your pets distress as possible. Fireworks can be terrifying for animals and can have serious impact on your pet. They don’t realise that the explosions are entertainment, not danger.

There are a number of precautions you as a pet owner can take to minimize the stress and danger fireworks may have on your pet.

1. Keep your pet safe at home

Do not take your pet with you to watch fireworks displays and if possible stay at home with your pet. The bright lights and the loud noise can be very frightening to dogs and cats. Animals have more sensitive hearing than we do, and the loud noise may hurt or damage their ears. Even pets that are not normally afraid of loud noises may become very upset by fireworks. Fireworks components, whether exploded or unexploded, are toxic. Fireworks debris that's eaten can cause stomach distress and internal damage that can be fatal. If you cannot bring your pets inside, consider putting them in the garage. Try to block off any view of the fireworks. “Dogs who panic can choke themselves on a collar or lead, so never use a choker chain or slip collar to restrain your dog” It is also important that you never shout at your dog or punish them if they bark at the fireworks. This could escalate the situation and cause more stress. Similarly you shouldn’t prevent your pet’s attempts at escape.

2. Make your pet feel comfortable

If you were unable to stay home with your animal during fireworks, it would be wise to bring the animal indoors (if possible). Try to make them feel safe and comfortable in a secure room of the house. Often, your pet will feel more comfortable in a smaller area. Dogs especially are den animals and will usually try and find a small dark place to hide when feeling distressed. Leave a radio on and surround the area with some of their favourite things, or some old clothes with your scent on them. Providing a few toys that will encourage your dog to lick such as a Kong or a bone should help as licking helps a dog to relax- just like rocking a baby.

3. Food, exercise and water

Take your dog out for plenty of active exercise an hour before the fireworks start, then home for a good filling meal. Leave lots of water if you are not able to stay at home with your pet. A tired and well-fed dog will be far less anxious during the night. With cats you should also engage them in some form of physical activity throughout the day. If you know that there will be fireworks that evening then you should instigate play sessions throughout the day. Tiring your cat in this way should help to relax and reduce anxiety later that evening.

4. Desensitising your pet

Most behaviourists would agree that pets become fearful during fireworks displays because the sounds are extreme and unfamiliar to them. This is known as sound sensitivity. It is possible to desensitise the pet to the sounds that frighten them. Desensitisation works by regularly exposing animals to the kind of sounds that frighten them. Start very quietly; play a tape recording or sound effects CD just loud enough that you notice some irritation, ear-twitching for example. Attract your dog or cat’s attention. Play; act as if everything is normal, and reward calm behaviour with praise and attention. Keep this up for around 20 minutes at a time, and try to leave the sounds on for a few minutes after you leave the room. Repeat the process on a daily basis, gradually increasing the volume over the course of a few months. You will need to allow three to six months in advance to complete this kind of training, and with some pets will need to continue it indefinitely or they will become sensitive again in between fireworks displays. The best form of desensitization is to use a CD especially designed for this purpose. Vital Pet Health have a selection of behavioural and desensitization CD’s in the health shop.

5. Treatments

If your pet suffers from an unmanageable phobia of fireworks, then it is at risk of injury when it panics. There are a number of stress relieving treatments on the market. We have selected two of our favourite natural remedies – both are natural, non-drowsy, have no side effects and are extremely effective for pets under stressful situations: Anxiety- Nature's Gentle Stress Reliever This product is a homeopathic remedy designed to promote a sense of calm in animals exhibiting fear. Click here for more info Scullcap and Valerian tabletsThis is traditional herbal remedy for the symptomatic relief of anxiety, nervousness, excitability and travel sickness in dogs and cats. Click here for more info. DAP DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone, a product that has been created to help dogs cope with stressful situations. The pheromone is based on the scent that pups associate with their mother and can be used in a variety of situations.DAP is available in a diffuser which you can place in a specific “safe” area in your house or as a collar which your dog can wear. Firework fears can result in a great deal of stress for both owners and pets. It’s important that you prepare for the firework season well in advance. For severe problems you should consult your veterinary surgeon or an animal behaviourist.