Remember, remember your pets this November!

Bonfire Night, Diwali and other festive winter celebrations may go with a bang for you and your family, but it is estimated that approximately 60% of pets become stressed and fearful during the firework season. To make matters worse, not only are many pet owners unaware of how to help their dogs and cats with firework fears, veterinary professionals believe 71% of owners may miss the signs that their pets are unhappy.

How to spot signs of stress in your pet

You know your pet better than anybody and will often notice changes in behaviour in traumatic situations, such as Bonfire Night, Diwali and other winter festivities. During the firework season many pets become stressed and fearful. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Trembling and shaking
• Clinging to owners
• Barking excessively
• Cowering and hiding behind furniture
• Trying to run away
• Soiling the house
• Pacing and panting
• Refusing to eat

Cats

• Cowering and hiding behind or on top of furniture
• Trying to run away
• Soiling the house
• Refusing to eat

What to do if your pet is stressed by fireworks

1. Allow your dog or cat to retreat to its favourite hideaway.  This bolthole is where they feel safe.  You can further increase this feeling of security and wellbeing by plugging in a D.A.P.® or Feliway® Diffuser.

2. On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.

3. Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped.  If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost.

4. In the run up to the firework season, ensure dogs are used to being taken for walks early in the evening and cats are provided with litter trays both before and during the firework season.

5. Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks.

6. Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet.  A dog may pick up on your anxiety and this can make the problem worse.  Cats prefer to be left to cope on their own.

7. Do not punish your pet.  This only confirms that there is something to be afraid of.

8. Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off.  Seeing you acting normally will help your pets feel more settled.

9. Speak to your vet. D.A.P.® Spray can be used to give dogs additional support on the night of the event.

10. After the firework season is over you should contact your vet to ask about treatment for your dog's fear of fireworks.  D.A.P.® and the Sounds Scary® CD therapy pack have been scientifically proven to be an effective combination for treating firework phobias in dogs. Your vet may also wish to refer you to a qualified behavioural therapist.

For further information on how to prepare your pet for the firework season, please call The Pets Practice on 020 8561 2123