Fireworks & Pets Strategies for a calmer night!

Objective 

To minimise stress, anxiety and risk of injury during fireworks through preparation, environmental control and behaviour management

Preparation can start a couple of days before or  months, depending on your pet:

• Check the microchip and tags

• Exercise early- to reduce restlessness later

• Vet consultation- to ensure your pet is in good health and there are no other causes for stress and anxiety

Desensitisation 

This needs to be started a few months in advance.

You would start by playing low-volume firework sounds while giving treats or engaging in play. Gradually increase volume or days to build tolerance. 

Signs of Noise  Aversion that you might see in your pet.

• Pacing or restlessness

• Lip licking, panting, drooling

• Trembling or shaking

• Excessive alertness or hypervigilance

• Cowering or hiding

• Brow furrowed or ears back

• Freezing or immobility

• Owner-seeking behaviour or excessive clinginess

• Refusing to eat

• Yawning

• Vocalising (whining, barking, or howling)

Environment Setup  

🐾 Create a Safe Space

• Prepare a quiet, enclosed area- a room away from the windows with familiar bedding, toys and water.

• Close windows, doors and curtains to reduce noise and light flashes

• Turn on white noise, fan, soft music, anything that your pet likes, to minimise external sounds

• Use calming sprays, collars, and pheromones to relax your pet

• Keep indoor light dim but on to reduce the contrast from bright flashes

Rabbits, guinea pigs:

If bringing them indoors, make sure the temperature and humidity are right for them

Ensure they don’t overheat, as it can be the leading cause of sudden death.

If outside: cover hutches with a thick blanket but allow airflow, and add extra bedding for burrowing

What to do During Fireworks

• Keeps dogs, cats and rabbits indoors with doors, windows and pet doors secured!

• Stay calm!

• Do not take dogs outside for walks or potty breaks until fireworks have stopped

• Offer reassurance, but allow them to hide or stay near you if they choose

• Use positive reinforcement- treats, gentle praise when displaying calm behaviour

  
  

After Fireworks

• Check for signs of distress or escape attempts- scratches on the door, drooling, pacing

• Take them outside only when you are sure the noise has stopped

• Offer a calm environment afterwards- don’t rush them to normal activity

• Reward normal behaviours

  
  

Supplements Options

• Nutraceuticals - although there are many options, it can be challenging to determine which one works best for your pet. Try to find recommendations and read about the product – trials and licenses.

• Pheromones sprays

• Essential oils

• Homeopathic Remedies

• Thunder Vests/Pressure Vests

  
  

Prescription Only Medication (POM-V) pharmacy

Please check with your vet which medication can be used, depending on your pet's health and response to different medications in the past.

Studies

• Different studies have shown that prescription medication could improve response by 69% of owners, with high success rates reported for the most frequently prescribed drugs -91% and 74%

• Although individual products were not evaluated, the reported success rates for pheromones, herbal products, nutraceuticals, essential oils, and homoeopathic remedies were all in the range of 27-35%

• Pressure vests were deemed effective by 44%

• Relaxation training was reported to be almost as successful at 69%, whereas noise training  CDs were effective in 55% of cases.

If you need any help during this fireworks season, please do not hesitate to contact us!