Pleasing 4 Pets

With Guy Fawkes Night fast approaching many UK pet owners are thinking of ways to keep their beloved pets safe and calm.

But what exactly can you do to keep your pets as stress free as possible on November 5th?

Some pets will opt for the most unusual hiding places in their efforts to seek comport and escape the noise of fireworks. It is not unusual for pet owners to find their animals hiding behind wardrobes, under desks or even in the bath.

There are some practical efforts that will help keep a cat or dog happy during a period which is often as distressing for owners as it is for their animals.

Primarily, an anxious cat or dog should be kept indoors where possible on Guy Fawkes Night, with windows and doors left closed as they may often attempt to escape in panic.

Keep the TV switched on or play some music to mask some of the firework noises and distract your pet and keep the curtains closed to blank out flashes.

If you have a cat, feed him at least an hour before the event and try to make sure that he has been outside before the barrage of fireworks begins. You should still ensure that a litter tray is available for the remainder of the evening.

If you have dog make sure that he is fed as early as is possible on bonfire night and that he gets plenty of exercise before it gets dark and the fireworks start.

Leaving your pet alone when fireworks are being used will probably distress them further - they will likely feel safer in your presence. You should remain calm and act exhibit ordinary behaviour. If your pet becomes anxious or distressed and wants to hide in a corner let them.

A recent study has revealed that a massive 79% of the owners of all cats and dogs in the UK believe that noisy fireworks ought to be banned, with 80% of UK vets supporting similar beliefs.

One vet commented:-

“Injuries to pets due to fireworks are usually caused as a result of them fleeing in fear of the loud bangs and flashes. I once treated a Staffordshire bull terrier that bolted across a road when a firework exploded and was hit by a car. Luckily he survived the collision, although he did suffer a dislocated hip and a shattered leg.
It is not uncommon for cats to go missing at this time of year also as they try to get away from the noise.”

The research also revealed that some pets are so disturbed and upset by fireworks that almost half of their owners claimed that they would support a complete nationwide ban.

One dog owner, Margaret Littlewood gave her backing to a complete ban, after re-counting the experiences of her late and much loved pet dog, Tramp. She said:-

“Unfortunately, Tramp is no longer with us but I used to absolutely dread this time of year. One year there were a lot of fireworks nearby and in a panic, Tramp sought refuge behind the toilet. For a while I thought he might be stuck but when we eventually coaxed him out he was shaking horribly. To make matters worse, another firework went off and he ran and hid in my wardrobe – it was terribly upsetting.”