Preparation is vital if our pets are to get through firework night with the minimum of fear and stress, and the sooner we start the more successful we will be. Dogs can   be desensitised to the noises by using CD’s available at our surgeries eg Sounds Scary or CLIX Noises and Sounds- start off at a low level (perhaps even quieter than you can hear because a dogs hearing is much more sensitive than ours) whilst your dog is relaxed or playing- if your dog reacts negatively the music is too loud. Play the music as much as possible so that your pet thinks it is normal. Then gradually increase the volume as your pets’ tolerance improves- if he/she reacts negatively go back to the previously acceptable level. Play the CD in as many locations as possible eg different rooms, in the car, at a friends house, even outside the house in the garden. Try to increase the volume with meal or walk times, or the arrival home of a family member. However, this process can take weeks or even months so start now!

 

 

A new drug called zylkene is also available to help stressed dogs and cats. It is a natural product that is released by the milk in suckling animals’ stomachs, and produces a calming effect on the brain. We have found it very effective in many stressed pets, and can be used for short periods or continuously- very useful when the firework “season” seems to go on forever.

 

As November approaches, we need to start thinking about how we can help those pets that are still scared by loud noises. We can start by creating a special place where our pets can go to get away from the sounds they hate.

 

Most of our dogs already have a favourite room, so we should try to modify this room to make it more suitable as a hideout. For our pets who do not have a favourite room we should choose a room that is naturally quiet, located towards the centre of the house, with a minimum number of windows. It is also best to prepare the refuge at least 2 weeks ahead of the fireworks.

 

Creating the refuge:

 

1.Install a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser in or close to the hiding place. At Severnside Vets we have had mixed results with this product-some pets respond really well but for others it does not seem to be enough. Simply plug it into an electric socket, and it releases a calming pheromone into the dogs’ environment, which helps dogs relax and feel less stressed. This should be started at least 2 wks prior to the start of fireworks and kept in use until 2 wks after fireworks.

 

2. Put in lots of blankets for your pet to dig and burrow in, preferably in a corner where they have already tended to hide. It’s a good idea to include something like an old unwashed woolly jumper, so that they can smell and be comforted by your indirect presence.

 

3.Close the windows and use heavy curtains- aim to minimise the noise entering the hideaway and eliminate the flashes of fireworks.

 

4. Encourage dogs to go to the toilet before any displays are scheduled to start. It is essential to then provide bowls of food and water.

 

5.Leave a few special chews in the hiding place-some dogs like to chew to help relive their tension.

 

6. Moderately loud rhythmic music with a good beat can be effective at masking the noise of fireworks. Do choose the music carefully- respect your pets taste!

 

7.The hiding place must be accessible at all times- make sure that doors cannot be accidentally shut in case they shut our pets in or out of the hideaway.

 

8.Encourage dogs to go to the hiding place 2-3 times each day during the run up to fireworks, by taking him/her there and giving a treat or some food. This helps our pets to understand that the hideaway is a good place.

 

9. If a display is scheduled for a particular evening close to you, then try and go for a long walk in the morning and then give your dog a large stodgy carbohydrate rich meal in the late afternoon that day e.g. pasta, mashed potato, rice. This will help the dog feel calm and sleepy during the evening.

 

10. Ensure that your pet is kept in a safe and secure environment at all times. Ensure that doors, windows, gates and fences are shut, and keep on a sturdy collar and lead if out in public places.

 

When noises start:

 

11. Take your dog to the hideaway, and encourage him/her to stay there

 

12.It is vital not to get cross if your pet becomes scared- this will only make them more frightened

 

13.It is tempting to try and soothe your pet to relieve any fears- this is often the worst thing to do. Your pet will think that there must be something to be scared of, and may interpret it as being rewarded for being scared. Also, if your pet starts to think of you as the only person who can soothe the fears, then he/she may be more likely to panic when you are not around.

 

14. Try to ignore your pet when he/she is looking frightened, and show affection/attention when he/she relaxes- then play with your pet and offer treats. It is a good idea to play lots of games with your pets, and to do little bits of training using food rewards.

 

15.Ignore the noises yourself! Try to appear happy and unconcerned- if you have another pet who is not concerned the it can be helpful to engage it in games, because your frightened pet may be tempted to join in.

 

16. Doggy earplugs! These can be bought or made from damp cotton wool, but please be careful not to push them too far in, and also remember to remove them afterwards.

 

 

 

After the event:

 

Continue with the DAP for 2 weeks, and if your dog has really suffered then consider doing something about its’ phobia. There are behavioural methods called desensitisation and counter-conditioning to help treat the phobia. Specially made recordings of fireworks as described above can be used to train dogs not to react to the noises they fear- details are available at any of our surgeries.

 

 

Many clients still ask for tablets for their pets during fireworks. Years ago, ACP tablets were routinely prescribed but it is now known that these are generally not a good idea because they can actually increase our pets awareness of the noises but leave them so doped that they cannot react, therefore increasing the anxiety next time. We have much better combinations of drugs including herbal remedies that we can prescribe, but if they are going to be used they should often be started 2-3 weeks prior to fireworks so start planning now! If all else fails, then there are still some drugs combinations that we can prescribe that will help your pet in the short term, but our advice is to start making preparations now, if you want to help your pets this November.

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