Tips For Keeping Pets Safe And Calm On Guy Fawkes Night
Mid-November traditionally heralds the start of ‘firework season’, a time of joyous celebration for some, but for others, a time of despair. The bane of most pet owners’ lives, Guy Fawkes, Diwali (Festival of Lights), Christmas and New Year are usually celebrated by setting off fireworks.
Although the domestic use of fireworks is banned by many local authorities, some will allow fireworks to be discharged, providing the requisite permission is obtained. Many undoubtedly flout the law and the seemingly endless bangs and explosions still rock our suburbs and affect countless household pets.
Vets and animal shelters are inundated with injured or lost pets at this time of year, but there are ways to help your pets get through these traumatic annual events.
- Make sure you walk your dog before the fireworks start.
- Keep your dogs and cats inside before fireworks are let off.
- A stodgy, high carbohydrate meal after the dog’s main meal on the night can also promote serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate your dog’s mood.
- Close all windows, cat flaps and curtains and put on some music to mask and muffle the fireworks sounds.
- Prepare a “den” for your pet where it can feel safe and comfortable. This could be under your bed with some of your clothes. Provide extra bedding so that your pet can burrow to feel safe.
- Allow your pet access to whatever space they choose to hunker down in. Remember, in times of stress dogs like to hide low, cats like to hide high.
- Let your pet pace around, whine, miaow and hide if that is what it wants to do.
- Massage to comfort and de-stress your pet. By simply stroking your dog’s ears slowly from the base to the tip you can increase circulation and slow down both respiration and heart rate.
- Don't ignore the dog; they are social animals and derive comfort from being with the people or animals with whom they have trusting relationships.
- Make sure your pet is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times, so that it can’t bolt and escape in reaction to a sudden noise.
- Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an ID tag, even while in the house.
- Avoid leaving your pet alone during events when fireworks are being used near your home.
- Don’t tie your dog up outside whilst fireworks are being let off.
- Get something from the vet to calm your animal if necessary.
Source - Delheim Wine Estate/News