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