Fireworks

Tips for dogs

BEFORE: about 4 – 6 weeks

  • Prepare a Den for your dog. A place they feel safe where they can go and hide if they feel scared.
  • Start with some calming products. Some can take 4 -6 weeks to reach an effective level.
  • Ensure your pet has been microchipped and all details are correct, in case they bolt through fear.

ON THE DAY:

  • Walk you dog before night fall.
  • Try not to leave your dog on their own.
  • Provide distractions like a long lasting chew or a toy.
  • Close curtains and put TV or radio on to cover the sound of fireworks.
  • Act normally around your dog – don’t react to fireworks or to their behaviour.

DO NOT PUNISH YOUR DOG WHEN SCARED

AFTER:

  • As fireworks now aren’t just on bonfire night, they can go on for a while. It is best to continue any calming products rather than stopping and starting again.
  • Keep the Den set up in case of repeat events.

Tips for cats

BEFORE: about 4 – 6 weeks

  • Prepare a high up hiding place for your cat, where they can retreat if they feel scared.
  • Make sure you have everything for keeping your pet indoors e.g litter trays, toys
  • Start with any calming products, they may take this long to reach an effective level.
  • Ensure your cat has been microchipped and all details are correct, incase they manage to escape.

ON THE DAY:

  • Ensure your cat is kept inside the house with adequate litter trays. Make sure all cat flaps and windows are closed to prevent them escaping
  • Close curtains and put TV or radio on to cover the sound of fireworks.
  • Wherever your cat chooses to hide leave them there until they feel safe to come out
  • Don’t react to fireworks or your cats behaviour

DO NOT FORCE YOUR CAT TO COME OUT OF A HIDING PLACE

DO NOT PUNISH YOUR CAT WHEN SCARED

AFTER:

  • Continue with any calming products and house prepared incase or repeat events

 

If you require any help or advice with regards to fireworks or anxiousness then speak to one of us at the surgery. Call us on 01226 756688 or pop in and have a chat with one of our nurses, we are more than happy to speak to you and advise what would be best for your pet.