Five ways to help your dog on Bonfire Night

LS93 — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:41:13 +0000

Bonfire Night can be highly stressful for dogs and owners alike. To make matters worse, firework displays don’t just take place on one day - they can be spread across a period of about a week. The effects of this can lead to some dogs becoming frightened and unhappy, and can impact on training.

The good news, according to Danny Nelis-Rouse, co-owner and managing director at interactive dog toy company Tug-E-Nuff, is there are quick and simple ways to minimise the stress caused to your dog during fireworks season.

Five ways to help your dog on Bonfire Night

Go for an early walk “Now the darker nights have set in, many of us will be opting for earlier walks than usual and this can be a particularly good idea around Bonfire Night. “It’s important that dogs are indoors where they are safe and secure before any fireworks start. If you do walk in the dark on Bonfire Night, it’s a good idea to keep your dog on a lead.”
Act normal “Your dog will react to your body language, and if you seem worried, it will make them feel worse. Stay calm, behave as normally as possible and follow your dog’s lead. “If your dog is giving off nervous energy or you need to redirect their attention, consider reaching for your dog’s favourite toy. Play can both provide distraction and help your dog form positive associations with the noise.”
Use distraction techniques “Close your curtains or blinds to limit the flashes and explosions, and reduce the stimulation your dog is exposed to. Keeping the television or radio on in the background to drown out some of the noise and provide a sense of normality too. “Don’t underestimate the power of play either! Interactive toys like Tug-E-Nuff’s The Clam are brilliant for helping to keep your dog distracted whilst building positive associations to the bangs on fireworks night.”
Provide a den “Your dog might want to hide away under a bed or in a crate with a blanket draped over the top to feel more secure and you shouldn’t try to coax them out before they are ready. “If you don’t have a space like this for your dog to go to, you can try setting up a cosy area in the quietest area of the house - remember to do this before fireworks night, so your dog has time to get used to it.”
Create positive associations “Helping your dog overcome a fear of loud noises like fireworks is something that takes time, so think about putting a long-term plan in place to gradually introduce loud noises to your dog in a way that builds their confidence. “For example, introduce noises slowly and initially at a very low volume, and match tolerating them with a calming reward. You won’t see instant results, but if you put the effort in, you should notice a big difference by the time Bonfire Night comes round.”

Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 12:07:18 +0000

With fireworks season fast approaching, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning millions of animal owners to start preparing now if they suspect their pet may become distressed. At up to 150 decibels, fireworks can be as loud as a jet engine and, with many animals particularly sensitive to noise, this can be a traumatic and distressing time of year for dogs, cats and other pets.

If your pet is severely distressed by fireworks or other noises, an early visit to your vet to discuss treatment options can help to keep them calm and reduce their stress in the period around Diwali (24 October) and Bonfire Night (5 November). It is particularly important this year as many vet practices are experiencing staff shortages, meaning owners may need to allow more time to secure an appointment.

A phobia of fireworks can be effectively treated with behaviour-modification techniques, administered with professional input, and owner commitment and patience. For less-severely affected animals BVA is offering simple evidence-based advice to help owners make informed decisions about their pets’ health and welfare this fireworks season.

Five top tips to help keep your pets calm during fireworks:

Prepare a den for your pet around two weeks before fireworks season and give them praise when they are relaxed there, so they come to view it as a safe retreat.
Use pheromone products next to the den and around the home. These are scents that we can’t smell but can help to reduce a pet’s stress.
Provide background noise and close curtains and windows on nights when fireworks are expected.
Remain calm yourself. Never punish your pet – remember, if they toilet in the house it’s not their fault.
Move small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, to a quiet place indoors when fireworks are expected, and provide lots of bedding to mask the sounds.

British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley, said:

“The loud noises and bright flashes that delight crowds during fireworks season can prove extremely frightening for our pets. We encourage all owners to make themselves aware of the specific symptoms of noise phobia in their animal and to contact their veterinary practice now to discuss any potential issues.

“Veterinary services across the country continue to experience unprecedented pressures and we know that this is making it harder for some clients to get appointments. But the fear responses we see among some pets can be extreme and distressing so if you suspect your pet may be affected, we recommend seeking advice early rather than risking an emergency visit with a traumatised or injured pet.”

Signs of distress can vary among different animals. While some pets show obvious signs such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness, toileting in the house, changes to facial expression, reluctance to be on their own or other changes in behaviour. Cats often hide while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet.

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Five ways to help your dog on Bonfire Night

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Remember, remember to prepare your pets early for firework season

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