How to keep animals calm during fireworks displays
With thousands of fireworks being sold for both domestic use and public displays over the following weeks, a local Horsham vet is calling out to the public to help keep incident reports down to a minimum.
Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery in Horsham witnessed a 20% increase in firework related stress and injuries last year alone. They are now urging owners to understand that animals not only get distressed during firework displays but they can also pose a threat to members of the public as they are likely to run away from the noise and occasionally into the road.
Julian Peters, owner of the Arthur Lodge Veterinary Group in Sussex and Surrey, commented: “Fireworks can be very distressing for pets and I would advise owners to research their local area to determine when any displays are taking place. Just like humans, pets will react to their owner’s behaviour. Therefore, if you remain calm and take necessary precautions such as using the calming plug-in devices, Feliway and Adaptil, formerly known as DAP, in the few weeks leading up to the event itself, the evening should be enjoyable for all.”
Paul Stilgoe, Regional Superintendent of the RSPCA, who are also backing the initiative, commented: "We are horrified by the number of animals brought to us and vets for emergency care due to firework-related incidents each year. Animals are not only injured directly by fireworks, but also when they are frightened and run from the noise. Pet owners can help ensure they are reunited with their pet if it bolts by having him or her microchipped. It is also a good idea to have pet insurance which will cover vet bills.
“We recognise that people enjoy fireworks. But we encourage them to attend public events wherever possible and would welcome any effort by the industry to reduce the noise levels of fireworks sold for public use. If ‘quieter’ fireworks are used responsibly we hope people would still be able to enjoy the spectacle without the cost to pets and wildlife. Anyone with an anxious pet should seek advice from their vet.”
Due to the fact that Sussex is renowned for its bonfire night displays, it is helpful to be aware of some useful tips to keep pets calm:
- Take dogs on extra long walks during the day.
- Keep pets inside – bring any animals that live outside into the house for the evening or make sure that their cages are partially covered with a blanket as well as providing them with extra bedding so that they can burrow.
- Ensure that animals have a tag with contact details on it in case they do try to run away.
- Draw the curtains and have a radio or television on in the background to distract from the noise of the fireworks.
- Choose a specific room for pets and create a den for them so that they are able to ‘hide’ from the fireworks.
- Try to stay with pets on the night itself. However, do not comfort them should they begin to show signs of distress as this will reinforce to the animal that there is something to worry about.