Fireworks are terrifying to pets. That’s because dogs can hear five times more acutely than humans, and cats about twice as acutely as dogs.
More domestic pets go missing during Guy Fawkes night than at any other time of the year.
What can pet lovers do?
Fireworks are governed by local by-laws only. If you are a concerned pet parent, campaign at your local municipality to have fireworks banned from your neighbourhood. The more we protest, the more action will be taken.
If you suspect your neighbourhood will be exploding with crackers on 5 November, protect your pet by doing the following:
• Make sure your pet carries identification. Microchipping is the most effective way to keep your pet from getting lost as it is inserted under the skin and cannot be lost if a collar is pulled off. Your veterinarian can insert a microchip in a matter of minutes. It is painless and causes no residual discomfort to the pet.
• If possible, stay at home with your pet if you know there are going to be fireworks in your neighbourhood. You are your pets’ protector and best friend and they feel safest with you.
• If you can’t be at home then keep them in a room where the windows are too high to jump out (like a bathroom or kitchen). Furnish the room with their favourite bed/blanket and an item of clothing that smells of you.
• Give them toys to play with, a meal at sunset and play calming music. This will distract them and make them sleepy at around the time the crackers start exploding.
• If your pet goes crazy when crackers explode there is a wide range of calming remedies available for them. We recommend:
– Calmeze, in chewable tablet form for dogs and in a salmon-flavoured gel for cats.
– Regal, stress and anxiety remedy, a beef-flavoured liquid
– Nutricalm, an all natural capsule
– Nurture Calming Spray for cats with pheromones; and Nurture Calm Pheromone Collar
Veterinarians advise that you begin using the calming remedies a few days before Guy Fawkes to see how your pet responds to the remedy. If these natural remedies aren’t strong enough, your vet can prescribe a sedative.
