Pets and Fireworks- 7 things you can do

Love them or hate them..I don't think they are going away. Every year we hear about horrible injuries to people from the misuse of fireworks and there are always people who will want them banned. But they do bring a lot of pleasure to people as well. It's a pity our pets don't share in the pleasure. For them they are just a frightening noise and sight. Many pets will shake and tremble, wet their pants, howl or hide in the corner. Some more sensitive types will try and climb the wall or jump fences and run off. I have a particularly sensitive dog that stays at my In-Home boarding facility, that does all of the above. So how can we help our furry friends survive this time of year???

1) Get prepared and go shopping (yay!!) If your pets don't have a name tag get one from your local pet shop or engraver.This is just in case your pet does happen to get out and take off. Animates have an engraving machine.

2) On the shopping list also should be some Resue Remedy, a Bach flower combination of 5 different essences for shock and terror. This can be put directly into the mouth or in your pets water bowls. I'd start a few days before the action is due to start or before fireworks go on sale. There are other similar products, one is called Courage and it is a combination of homeopathic remedies. One of my clients was saying she found it most effective. You can get it at your local Vet Clinic

3) Make sure your pet is on a good balanced diet,a raw natural diet without colours, favours and preservatives will all help to have a calmer pet. Adding supplements like Flaxseed oil, My Beau ( avaliable at your local vet or pet shop) or Fish oils will help to ensure they have a good funtioning brain..amongst other things. Adding a Vitamin B complex or sprinkling Brewer's yeast ( high in vitamin B) will also help with stress and additionally Vitamin C supplements will help to keep your pet well if they are stressed.

4) There are c/ds you can get to desensitise your pet to the noises. Happy-Fireworks-Desensitisation. Alternatively do a google search and see if you can find some free sound effects. Start quietly and build up the sound.

5) Essential oils of Lavender have a calming effect. Similarly Calm me solution from Herbology is a lovely product that I use here for the dogs, rubbing it on their ears.

5) Prepare for the nights well. Shut curtains, leave lights on, put TV or radio on. Have a litter tray inside for cats and take the dog for a walk before it starts getting dark. Give them a crate or little cave area they can go and 'hide' in. When the fireworks starts keep calm yourself as your pets will pick up on your feelings of anxiousness.

6) Have a look at this video about calming signals for dogs. The techniques shown here may help during the actual noise to help your pet feel calm.

7) Another idea is using Feliway spray for cats. This is an analogue of the feline facial pheremone which is what the cats deposit on the legs of chairs and your legs when they rub around you. These are their happy smells. Humans have reproduced it in a laboratory and bottled it, so you can use it at home as a plug in diffuser or a spray. The dog equavalent is called DAP which I believe smells like 'Mum'. It's available at your vet, it's not cheap but very effective.

I hope some of these products and ideas will help you and your pets have a more enjoyable time over the next few weeks..and also over New Years when we seem to have another round of Fireworks.

Lisa Hudson
Manager & Vet Nurse
Absolutely Precious Paws Limited

Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Dog Day Care, Pet Home Stay, House sitting
Member of Tauranga Chamber of Commerce
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