Be prepared for the Fright Nights!
October and November start the winter celebrations with Halloween, Fireworks Night on the 5th of November and Diwali. Just under a fortnight of spectacular light, noisy fireworks, smokey smells and some spooky visitors.
Great fun for us, but more than un-nerving for most pets!
However there are some steps you can take to ensure the evenings pass as calmly as possible - and please call the surgery for advice on products that may help with anxiety:
All pets
- Keep your pets inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship
- Provide a safe place inside for your pets to retreat and feel safe - and don't try to tempt them out during the evening - it will make their anxiety worse!
- If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed
- Put some music on to mask the noise
- Give your pet something distracting to do - like a new toy or some treats
- Ignore any loud noises yourself, they will pick up on your anxiety
Just for dogs
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day
- Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar - just in case!
Just for small furries
- Provide lots of bedding so that they can burrow and feel safe
- Cover hutches with a blanket to help reduce the noise
- Consider bringing outside pets inside, but do this gradually
If you know that your pet is anxious during this time of year, call us and we can advise on specific therapies or treatments that may help your pet cope.
Download the RSPCA advice leaflet here.