PETS AND FIREWORKS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR FURRY FRIENDS STRESS-FREE THIS FIREWORK SEASON
Pets and fireworks - not a combo made in doggy heaven… or feline, for that matter. While fireworks and parades may be fun for us humans, the truth is they can be a real source of stress for our pets. The loud noises and unexpected bright lights can be seriously unnerving, so it’s important to take extra precautions to make sure our pets are kept safe and comfortable throughout this sometimes scary time. So, without further ado, let’s get into our tips on keeping pets safe during fireworks season.
DOG CARE TIPS: Walk/feed before dusk, close windows/curtains, turn up TV/radio/music (reggae works apparently!), provide safe den/space/room to destress/cope, try distraction games with treats/toys, consider pheromone plug-ins & make sure microchip details up to date. - Source: @marcthevet
CAT CARE TIPS: Feed before dusk, lock cat flaps, provide litter tray, close windows/curtains, turn up TV/radio/music (classical works apparently!), make sure safe space/room/high platforms to hide/destress, try pheromone diffusers & check microchip details up to date Source: @marcthevet
Thanks @Angela_L for this important reminder and interesting tips! I’ve never thought of turning on music specifically to mask the booms of fireworks for pets but will do so in the future.
It’s a horrible time for animals and I’ve already read some sad reports from accidents this weekend. One tip I did pick up on from a reputable breeder (if you have a puppy) is to play recordings of fireworks (some on Youtube) to them when they are very small and in their happy place. This helps them to become accustomed to the noise and, hopefully, less upset.
It’s not too long until Guy Fawkes night here in the UK, so I thought I’d bump this useful post in case anyone needs any tips or advice, or if anyone wants to share any tips and advice!
Where I live, we’ve had fireworks going off for the last few nights, so I’ve been keeping the windows and curtains shut, as my old cat Walter isn’t very keen on the noise.
For those outside of the UK, is there any time of year that you have to consider the impact of fireworks on your pet, or one that you’re sitting for?
New Year’s Eve and Australia Day are basically the only evenings in Australia when fireworks can affect pets who don’t cope with loud noises. Depending on which state or territory, fireworks were mainly banned from the 1970s and 1980s so that now only licensed pyrotechnicians are able to conduct displays in public.
In the U.S., primarily New Year’s Eve and July Fourth, which is independence day.
In many parts of the U.S., there are stands / kiosks temporarily erected for sales to the public around those holidays.
In parts of the South, there are huge fireworks shops that run all yearlong, but I don’t know how much business they do or why people would be buying them. We see such businesses in that region when we road trip through.
