Fireworks and your pets: tips for a peaceful evening

Fireworks can be distressing for our beloved pets. With Guy Fawkes celebrations already started and due to continue through the weekend, this can be a stressful period for your dogs and cats. And whilst we might enjoy the bright sparkling and noisy fireworks, there are ways of making the whole event a lot easier and more comfortable for our furry friends.

Cosy up indoors

Keeping your pets indoors will be one of the best ways to ensure that they stay safe and out of harms way. Creating a cosy place for your dog and cat to hide if they need to is a good start. Cats can prefer to hide under beds or sofas but you can also provide other shelters using cardboard boxes or crates with blankets over them. You might find that your dogs want to cuddle up with you. In this case, keeping things as normal as possible in your routine can be a good way of reassuring them that they are safe. It would also be better to walk your dog before it’s getting dark. With the days becoming shorter, it can be difficult to get a walk in after work or after the school run that doesn’t require a headtorch. Keeping your dog in and missing one walk is probably better than the risk of them running off when a firework goes off. Creating a safe space with a dog crate or a dog bed placed in a separate room can also help to put them at ease. Make sure to have familiar smelling toys or blankets with them alongside food and water close by. If your pet is hiding, the last thing we want to do is to make them come out before they are ready.

Distractions

Adding a distraction in the form of a novelty food can be a great way to keep their minds and energy focused on something other than the sights and sounds happening outside. A lick mat is great cost-effective tool for firework nights. You can press some wet dog food or mashed up bananas into the mat, pop it in the freezer and then give it to your dog before the fireworks show for them to fuss over for the next few hours. Another option are Kong toys filled with high-reward treats to keep them entertained.
Music is a great addition to keep your pets calm. Classic FM and other radio stations host shows specifically for pets on nights when fireworks tend to happen. You can also use your own streaming app to put some soft, instrumental music on in the background.

Update your details

There is the potential for pets to become so distressed that they run away or get lost. Updating your personal details linked to your pets microchip and ID tag increases the likelihood that you will be reunited. Most microchip providers allow you to update your details via their website for a small fee. If you are not sure of your pets microchip number or what provider the chip is from, contact us and we would be happy to help. Every vet practice will have a microchip scanner and can check your pets microchip number with you and your pet in practice. It is also a good idea to update us on any changes in address or pet ownership. We have strays handed in or calls from other local vets when there is a lost pet, and knowing up to date details means we can reunite both of you sooner.

Gentle calming supplements and medications

Some dogs and cats, despite everything you may do to make them as comfortable with blankets and music, need a little more help to feel at ease. There are lots of different herbal options available in pet stores or online. They come in the form of tablets, powder and some diffusers, such as Feliway, which you can turn on or off as and when your cat may need it.

There are some medications that can only be prescribed by a registered vet. We are available to provide advice of what would be best for your pet, given how anxious your pet gets and any medical conditions that we see them for.

There are lots of ways that you can help your pet feel more comfortable during this upcoming holiday period. Whether it is Guy Fawkes or New Year’s Eve, using the some of the tips here can help during firework displays. Some methods will work best for your dog and some won’t. Our team is here to help you find a solution that keeps your pet calm and you assured that you are doing the best for them.

Give us a call on 01483 610 292 or send us an email to info@theguildfordvet.co.uk for any queries.