Fireworks and your pets – helping them cope.
Fireworks and your pets – helping them cope.
We want to work with pet owners to help make the fireworks season as stress free as possible for every pet. Each year clients contact us, worried about their pets reaction to the fireworks going off outside their homes. Both dogs and cats can suffer from noise related phobias, the most important advice is BE PREPARED before they start.
Preparation starts at home.
Purchase a fireworks soundtrack, ideally months before the first firework is set off. Play this daily at home, quietly to start with, gradually increase the soundtrack allowing your pet plenty of time to get used to the bangs.
Using pheromones,
can be beneficial for both cats and dogs. These naturally calm your pet and reduce anxious behaviour. Pheromones are produced by female cats and dogs to help comfort their young. These sprays mimic this effect helping to create a calm and relaxed environment. These should be started 2 weeks before fireworks season to give the best results. There are different options available to suit every household – A collar for dogs, a plug in (great for multi pet house holds) and spray to use as required.
Supplements
Nutracalm supplements are available at all of our surgeries, for both cats and dogs. Nutracalm has been specially formulated by vets to help naturally calm worried pets, reduce anxiety and unwanted behaviour.
Zylkene supplements are available for both cats and dogs, at all of our surgeries. This supplement is derived from milk proteins that can help your pet feel more relaxed. Zylkene is lactose and preservative free.
Supplements are easy to administer, by mixing into your pets usual food. Our team will be able to advise you of the dosage recommended for your pet. Supplements should be started at least 3 days before any fireworks start.
Please take care, pets that are suffering with anxiety can show signs of aggression.
For the more anxious dogs,
we have Prescription Only Medicine available. A fast acting gel can be prescribed by our vets for you to use in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to tailor the gel to the timing and duration of the noise outside. This gel can be used as part of an existing training programme. Our team will show you how to administer the gel, ensuring the correct dose for your dog is given.
How to help your pet
Act normal – pets will pick up on your anxiety.
Walk your dog as early as possible, if they are looking anxious it might be safer to keep them on a lead or long line.
Build a den – in a quiet corner of your home.
Lock your cat flap & shut all windows.
Check your pets ID tag & microchip information is up to date.
Don’t forget about your smaller pets – guinea pigs and rabbits can also become extremely anxious around fireworks season. To help reduce stress in your small furries consider moving their hutch temporarily into your garage or the coldest room in your house to help reduce the noise. If they are staying outside use an old rug or thick blanket over their cage to help minimize noise levels for them. Don’t forget to provide extra bedding, so they can snuggle up feeling safe and warm inside their hutch.
