HOUSING & ENVIRNOMENT | PET GAZETTE | 31
DON’T LET PETS GET FIRED
UP DURING FIREWORKS!
As we approach firework season Andrew Fullerton, technical manager for
behaviour at Ceva Animal Health, has tips on how to help your customers
and clients ease their pet's nerves
secured and curtains drawn to reduce the
noise of fireworks. Playing music or having
the TV on will further mask the noise. The
lights should be kept on so as not to enhance
the flashes from the fireworks.
DON’T IGNORE
T
he firework season can
be a stressful time for
the nation’s pets with
approximately half of
the UK’s dog population
thought to have a problem
with loud noises. Signs that dogs find fireworks
challenging include trembling, shaking, seeking
owner support and cowering to hide behind
furniture, barking excessively and trying to run
away or to get to other areas of the home.
Fears of loud noises can develop into sound
sensitivities, which worsen over time.
Cats are masters of disguise, so it is harder
to tell when they are unhappy, but although
they are not thought to develop sensitivities
to fireworks the loud bangs can startle them
and they may want to hide behind or on top
of furniture or try to run away. There is plenty
that can be done to support pets during the
firework season.
PREPARE A DOG DEN
Dog owners should prepare a den for their
dog to hide in whilst the fireworks are going
off. Ideally this should be prepared at least
a couple of weeks in advance so the dog is
accustomed to using it. It is advisable to create
the den in an area where the dog already feels
safe, such as behind a sofa or at the bottom of
a cupboard. Covering the den helps to protect
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the dog from both the noise and flashing lights
of fireworks.
Ensuring the dog can access the den at
all times is important. Healthy treats and a
favourite toy in the den will help the dog to
use the space and learn that it is their safe
spot. Products such as calming diffusers can
be introduced to further enhance the den.
Appeasing pheromones have a calming effect
on dogs and in the case of a den will help
communicate to the dog that it is a ‘safe’ place.
CAT’S HIDEAWAY
During the firework season cats should be
kept indoors at night. This change in routine
and confinement to the home can cause
cats to become upset and show unwanted
behaviours such as urine marking, inter-cat
conflict and vertical scratching. Owners can
make a few environmental changes which
include providing several litter trays throughout
the house, allowing access to elevated hiding
places and providing boltholes.
If a cat hides in a corner or under a bed during
the fireworks, advise owners to leave it alone
and not to try to coax it out, as this refuge is
where it feels most secure.
MASKING THE NOISE
AND LIGHT
Doors, windows and cat flaps should be
If an owner’s dog gets worried by a bang and
goes to them for support, encourage them
to offer genuine affection without being too
sympathetic. As soon as a dog has calmed
a little, customers should try to distract them
into an easy game with a toy or into using
their nose to find a treat. The toy should not
be offered directly, instead the owner should
focus their attention on the toy and see if
the dog wants to engage. If a dog chooses
to engage, it is more likely that the negative
emotion will be replaced with a positive one.
Finally, a pet should not be punished at any
time for their behaviour.
MICROCHIPPING
Dogs should now be microchipped but cats
ideally should be microchipped too, so that
if they are frightened when they are out and
bolt, they are able to be reunited with the
owner.
DAYTIME WALKS
Dog owners should exercise their dogs early
in the evening before the fireworks start.
If a dog finds fireworks increasingly difficult
to cope with then suggesting a visit to the
vet can help with any further support the
pet needs, such as medication or referral
to a qualified behaviourist. A list of qualified
behaviourists can be found on the Animal
Behaviour and Training Council website
www.abtcouncil.org.uk.
Andrew Fullerton is the technical manager
for behaviour at Ceva Animal Health. After
qualifying from Bristol in 2007, Andrew
spent 10 years in clinical practice before
taking on his new role. He now works with
behaviourists and vets all over the UK.
October 2018