Guide to Fireworks and Your Pets

It's coming up to that time of the year again when people love to set off fireworks. It's a beautiful sight but however is not appreciated the same way by our pets. So we put together an all extensive guide on how to help your pet deal with fireworks this Winter!

Dogs and Cats:

• Make sure your pet has an available hiding space at all times to make sure they feel in control of their own safety and to allow them to be comfortable if a particularly loud bang occurs.
• If you do have a cat make sure your cat flap is locked and any windows are fully shut, in case they attempt to escape.
• Before evening comes make sure you've walked your dog enough to tire them out and given them plenty of time to go to the toilet.
• Close all curtains, blinds and windows as this will minimise the visual effect and also attempt to minimise the sound too.
• If possible, don't leave your pet alone at home. If they become frightened, or agitated don't over comfort them or become irritated simply distract them with their favourite toy until they calm down.
• Put on a movie or your favourite TV Show and turn up the volume louder than usual to try to drown out the sound.
• Most importantly never take your Dog or cat to a firework display as the sound can physically damage their ears.
• If necessary resort to calming products and medication. Talk to your vet if you are concerned and see what they can do too.

Horses and Other Field Animals :

• Warn neighbourhoods surrounding your stables not to set off fireworks in your direction as you own horses and this could scare them easily.
• Keep your horse in the routine it knows best and if it's usually sociable keep it with other horses
• If possible stay with your horse when fireworks are going off to make sure your horse stays safe, calm and comfortable.
• If you know that your horse reacts badly to loud noises speak to your vet and see what they can do, if you'd rather not use medication then maybe consider moving your horse for the night to a place where no fireworks will be set off
• Try to remain calm and positive as horses can sense unease in a person and this might make things worse if the horse is startled
• Be careful yourself. Try not to get in the way if your horse becomes startled as you may get hurt.
• Don’t take the risk of riding when you think fireworks might be set off

Small Animals

• Hutches/cages and enclosures should, if possible, be brought into a quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed.
• Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so it feels safe.
• If you cannot bring your pet’s hutch inside, you should turn its enclosure around so that it faces a wall orfence instead of the open garden.
• Cover any aviaries or hutches with thick blankets or a duvet to block out the sight of the fireworks and deaden the sound of the bangs, but make sure there is enough ventilation.

If all the above still leaves your Pet Scared...

Try out a couple of these products that can calm and soothe your Pet when bonfire night comes around: