Remember, Remember, the 5th of November
Carnival & Religious celebrations, Bonfire Night and New Year – we enjoy fireworks year round, but they can be a source of fear for many animals. If not addressed, noise phobias tend to get worse over time so it’s always best to be prepared. Here’s the Animal Magic Dog Club top tips for dealing with Firework Fear in your dog:
- Give your dog a long walk during the late afternoon making sure that they go to the toilet and keep them indoors after dark.
- A meal containing carbohydrates such as well cooked rice, pasta or mashed potato may make your dog feel more sleepy and calm.
- Close curtains to hide the flashes of light and turn up the TV or radio to mask the sound.
- Ignore the firework noises yourself. If your dog shows any signs of fear or anxiety do not react – it’s important never to punish or fuss over your dog when it is scared as this will only make things worse.
- Some dogs may want to hide when frightened, so providing a ‘doggy den’ may help them to cope. If you know your dog is going to be frightened on the night then set this up in advance so they are comfortable and happy inside.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the house – he may panic and injure himself.
- Seek advice from your Vet as there are a number of products which may help your pet to cope.
- Dogs that are particularly fearful may benefit from a noise desensitisation programme, this needs to be undertaken many months in advance following guidance from your Vet.
Don’t forget other small animals: Cats should be kept indoors with somewhere warm, cosy and dark to hide. If your pets live outside, partly cover cages, pens and aviaries with blankets so that one area is well covered from the sights and sounds of the fireworks.
