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Fireworks and your pets – helping them cope.

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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.

 

We hope that you and your pet enjoy the fireworks season this year but if you are concerned your pet is showing signs of anxiety please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for help and advice.

Fireworks.

How to help your pets cope with fireworks

fireworks dog

fireworks dog

 

Every year we receive a number of requests for help from owners who are worried about how their pets react to fireworks. Both cats and dogs can suffer from noise related phobias around this time and it is important to plan in advance if you want to tackle this problem.

After the fireworks begin, your pet may begin to show odd behaviour such as restlessness, making excessive noise or hiding away in a corner. If you have noticed any of these signs in the past, there are a few things that you could do to reduce their stress this year.

* Keep all of your pets inside during firework displays. Ensure that any windows or cat flaps are shut and that the curtains are drawn.

* Take your dog for a walk before the fireworks begin so that they are not startled whilst they are outside.

* It is important for you to remain in the house with your pet during any firework displays, but try not to act any differently towards them. If you act normally, your pet will feel calmer.

* If your pet prefers to hide somewhere in the house, just let them hide and they will come out when they feel safer.

* Try offering your pet a distraction. Treats or a toy can help them to feel more relaxed, but do not try and force them to play.

* Do not punish your pet for their behaviour during firework night, as this can lead to worsening anxiety.

It is important to stress again that if your pet prefers to hide, do not try to force them to sit with you. If you have enough time, try creating a safe place for them to hide in before the fireworks begin. You could use your dog’s crate or bed if they have one, or if you have a cat, a large cardboard box will do. Try and line them with blankets or towels that your pet is used to sleeping on, as these will smell comforting. Do not force your animal into the safe place, as again this can make them feel uneasy.

A cat den.

A cat hiding in a den – feeling safe and hidden away from fireworks.

Ensure that each pet has a separate hiding place and that cats have an opportunity to hide away from each other. Note that some cats actually prefer hiding somewhere high up, like on top of a wardrobe. Never shut your animal in a cage, or inside one room, as they will feel trapped.

Below are some of the different supplements we have on offer.   

* For dogs – ADAPTIL is a product that contains Dog Appeasing pheromone. It is a copy of a pheromone that a bitch releases to comfort her puppies and should help to reassure and calm your dog. It comes as a plug –in, a spray or a collar. Adaptil should be started 2 weeks before firework season for maximal effect.

* For cats – FELIWAY is a product that contains facial pheromones. These are pheromones that your cat will leave on an object when they rub their head against it, and will make them feel safe and secure. This comes as a plug-in or a spray. Feliway should be started 2 weeks before firework season for maximal effect.

* For both dogs and cats – ZYLKENE is a supplement derived from milk proteins that can help to make your pet feel more relaxed. These supplements should be started at least 1-2 days before any fireworks are expected.

Adaptil and Feliway.

A selection of Feliway and Adaptil that we stock.

If your dog is very anxious we do on occasion dispense tranquilizers, but we would advise that the above methods are tried if possible also.

It is possible to try to desensitize your pets to firework noises using a download available from itunes called ‘Sounds Scary’ although this may take some weeks to have  an effect.

If you are worried about your pet’s behaviour and would like some advice, please contact our friendly team to discuss you pets individual needs. You can also et further advice about the different products available but visiting www.zylkenepet.co.uk, www.feliway.com/uk, or www.adaptil.com/uk.
Enjoy a safe Bonfire night!

Young Veterinary Partnership

www.youngvets.co.uk