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Firework misery ahead for 9 million pets warns PDSA
Mrs McDougall says she doesn't fuss over Penny when there are fireworks
This weekend is likely to be one of the most distressing times of the year for UK pets as a PDSA survey* has revealed that over 9 millions cats and dogs suffer fear and anxiety due to fireworks.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, says: “The fireworks season is an incredibly stressful time for pets. We know why there are lots of loud bangs outside, but our pets don’t, which is very distressing for them. Many of our pets have very acute hearing, so the range of sounds adding to their anxiety may also be greater than we can appreciate.
“Many people don’t seek help for their pets’ fears, perhaps believing nothing can be done. But with a little preparation, owners can make a big difference and help minimise the anxiety that many pets suffer during the fireworks season.”
To help owners, PDSA has produced a pet firework safety guide to ensure pets stay safe and calm when fireworks are going off over the coming weeks.
Preparation
- Make a cosy den for your pet with blankets, pillows and cushions. For dogs this could be behind a sofa or inside a wardrobe, whilst cats feel more secure when high up so a cat bed safely placed on an accessible shelf or cupboard may be better.
- Reward your pet when they spend time in the den. This will help them to build a positive association with this ‘safe space’, making it a reassuring place to hide if they get scared.
- Use pheromones near to the den; these are calming scents available as plug-ins or sprays that we can’t smell, but that can help to reduce anxiety in pets.
- Get your pet microchipped, so if they do panic and manage to run away, you are much more likely to be reunited.
On the night
· Never take your pet to a fireworks display, and walk dogs early before fireworks start.
· Bring in any outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs and give them extra bedding and shelters to hide in so they feel safe.
· Keep all doors, windows, cat flaps and curtains closed, and play music with a repetitive beat to help mask the noises.
· If your pet gets scared, act normally and ignore the fireworks and any fearful behaviour. Even though it is tempting to reassure them, this will just reinforce their fear.
· Allow your pet to hide in the den, or somewhere else if they prefer, and don’t try to coax them out. This is a place they feel safe and allows them to take control of the situation.
· Don’t pick up or restrain a cat that is scared. Cats prefer to control how they cope.
Owners should be aware of signs of stress. Dogs may tremble, pace, pant and become ‘clingy’, while cats may try to hide behind furniture, or attempt to run away. Both dogs and cats may refuse to eat and may soil the house because of firework-related stress. Rabbits may freeze and remain motionless, or may panic and try to escape their hutches.
If your pet is very fearful, ask your vet about long-term behavioural therapy. This can take weeks or months, but with time and patience it teaches pets that loud noises are nothing to be scared of. The evidence-based behavioural techniques used can achieve excellent results to improve your pet’s quality of life.
Case Study
But it’s not all bad news – dog owner Mrs McDougall from Coventry says her Yorkshire Terrier, Penny (7), is completely unfazed by fireworks, possibly due to being exposed to them during her socialisation period.
The socialisation period refers to the first 2 months of a puppy or kitten’s life, during which it is important to carefully introduce them to typical household noises, people and sights. Ensuring young pets have positive experiences during this critical period of their development will help them to grow into friendly, well adjusted pets.
Mrs McDougall said: “Penny has never really been bothered by fireworks, she’s a very easygoing dog. I had never heard of a ‘socialisation period’, but I suppose I got her as a six week old puppy around October time, so she would have experienced her first fireworks at a very young age. I never really made a fuss about it, so I suppose she just followed my example.”
For further information owners can download a free copy of PDSA’s Fireworks and Your Pet leaflet at www.pdsa.org.uk/leaflets and to learn more about the health and welfare needs of pets a full copy of the PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report can be downloaded at www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport.
01/11/2011
Making a fireworks den in advance can help your pet to feel safe and secure
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