Fireworks and pets
Remember, remember the fifth of November - and that your pet probably HATES fireworks! Do the best for your pet and follow our advice.
- Precautions to take
- Possible pet behaviour
- What can I do to help my nervous pet?
- What do I do if my pet goes missing?
- Further details
Precautions to take
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home often receives reports of distressed and lost pets during the autumn months due to fireworks - in fact, the number of lost dogs and cats that come through our doors rises sharply around fireworks time.
- Keep all pets indoors during firework 'season', and try to walk dogs earlier in the evening to avoid running into any displays.
- Once fireworks have started, keep your pet in a dark, quiet room, preferably at the furthest point from the fireworks. Block up cat-flaps and close doors and windows to prevent your stressed pet from running away during fireworks.
- If your pet becomes stressed do not comfort him, as this will only reinforce his fear. Instead try and block out any noises. Turn on a radio or the television to distract or muffle any outside noises, and close the curtains. Act as normally as possible so that the animal does not pick up on your anxieties.
- If your pet is extremely sensitive, consider consulting your veterinary surgeon for a mild sedative or tranquilliser to help keep him calm. There are also herbal remedies available that can assist with this problem.
- Make sure that your pet is properly identified in case he does run off during fireworks. Find out how.
- It's best for your pets if you go to an organised display and don't let off fireworks in your garden. And NEVER take your pet to a fireworks display!
Possible pet behaviour
As you get to know your dog or cat, you will notice changes in his or her behaviour in various situations. During the firework season, which can stretch from the end of October right into January, many pets suffer from adverse reactions to the unusual and sudden sights and sounds associated with fireworks.
Commonly seen signs may include:
(Of course, if any of these symptoms become excessive or persist after the fireworks have stopped, you should seek veterinary advice as they may be related to a medical condition)
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to treat a fear if the event that causes it is infrequent or unpredictable. This is also the case with thunder. Dogs and cats have very good hearing and can be very sensitive to loud noises, even from afar. In panic or confusion, they can go to great lengths to escape such as digging under fences, jumping out of open windows or doors, and chewing through leads.
What can I do to help my nervous pet?
You should follow all the precautions above during fireworks season. If you know in advance your pet gets stressed and before the firework season really gets going, try desensitising your pet. Desensitisation requires sound effect tapes, audiotapes or videos impersonating the sounds of fireworks. This may not work for every pet, especially if the behaviour has been established over a period of years. If using this method, you will gradually need to play your tapes over a period of months, starting with the volume on very low in the background of your home. After a week or so you can then start to increase the volume, although this should be done gradually in order to avoid increased stress levels in your pet. It is also recommended that you do not comfort your pet if he shows signs of anxiety, as this will only reinforce the feeling.
If necessary, get a responsible friend or relative that lives in a more rural environment to take care of your pet for a while, but always remember to update your pets ID tag with the relevant contact details if he's is staying away from home. Alternatively, you may want to book your pets into a rural boarding kennels to ensure complete safety.
Be gentle and try to avoid unnecessary stressful situations where possible.
What do I do if my pet goes missing?
If your pet does go missing, search the local area immediately, as he may be hiding nearby.
Contact your local dog warden or police station to record your pet's details, and call all the local rescue centres to see if your pet has been found and taken into their care. Advertise the loss of your pet by putting up posters in your area, local shops and veterinary surgeries.
If you live within the M25, contact the Lost Dogs and Cats Line at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home immediately on 0901 477 8477 (calls cost 60p per minute from a BT land land, other networks may vary).
Further details
The Blue Cross animal welfare charity have produced some useful information about pets and fireworks - you can download it from the Blue Cross website
Send to a friend