March vets on looking after your pets while fireworks are going off

In their monthly Pet Subject column, Laura Dickens of Amical Veterinary Centre in March, talks about helping animals cope with fireworks.

Now we are into Autumn, firework displays are a common sight. One of the most prevalent phobias in our pets is a fear of fireworks and loud noises.

Signs of stress and fear can include: hiding, trying to escape, shaking or trembling, seeking their owner, pacing, panting, drooling, barking or meowing, not eating, toileting inside.

There are lots of things that we can do, but some can require some time to be effective. When you are expecting fireworks on a certain day, it is best to keep cats inside all day.

Take your dogs out for a nice long walk to help tire them out before the fireworks are due to start. You can then close the curtains and put on some music or TV to drown the outside noise.

For both dogs and cats, make sure they have a place where they can hide and feel safe. Some pets feel safer alone; in which case you can set up a hiding spot for them in another room, while others feels safer when they’re closer to their family.

Hiding spaces can be made from any space; for example: a hiding spot can be created under furniture, between sofas, in the bathtub, in a cupboard or in a crate/carrier with the door open.

Swaddling with calming wraps can also help.

As our pets are very good at reading our body language and emotion, it is important to remain as normal, cheery and upbeat as possible. Becoming fretful or anxious can often make things more tense and babying a worried animal can reinforce their negative behaviours.

There are also calming products that can help your pet feel more at ease. These are natural or herbal products that help to promote the feeling of peace and calm.