In the UK the fifth of November is bonfire night. This may be fun for humans, but for many dogs the loud firework noises make it miserable to say the least. Luckily neither of our dogs are bothered by fireworks, but I know some dogs become quite unhappy, and some can become frantic. There are various remedies you can give, and I've just received this email with some novel advice for keeping your canine cheery: (If you can come up with any other suggestions, do let us know)
More dogg less bark this firework season
For many pet owners across the UK firework season can be a time of worry about how our pets will react to the noisy bonfire night celebrations, but according to one of the UK’s leading pet doctors, Vet-Medic’s John Rosie BVSc MRCVS, playing the latest Dizzee Rascal album might just be the solution you’ve been looking for to help your pet cope.
So, if you’ve never heard of 50 Cent or Jay-Z and can’t tell your N-Dubz from your Chipmunk, there’s no better time to broaden your taste in music and your pet might just thank you for it too!
Playing rap music is a really excellent way of distracting your pet from the noise of fireworks, and you don’t have to turn it up loud for it to work. Rap is best because of its tempo, but really any kind of music with a constant drumbeat can help divert your pet’s attention and keep them calm.
“At Vet-Medic, our free pet advice line gets a lot of calls this time of year from concerned pet lovers wanting to know the best way to reduce the stress their animals go through because of fireworks – that’s why we’ve put together our tips on making life easier for both pet and owner. said John Rosie .
And if you’re not sure of your pet’s taste in music, the Vet-Medic team have even come up with their own top ten favourites for Bonfire Night:
- Who Let the Dogs Out - Baha Men
- Doggy Dogg World - Snoop Dogg
- Pick of the Litter - Lil’ Bow Wow
- Animal - Def Leppard
- Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
- Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
- Don’t Cha - Pussy Cat Dolls
- I’m Not Scared - Pet Shop Boys
- I Love My Dog - Cat Stevens
- Cat People (Putting Out the Fire) - David Bowie
Pet owners are being urged to take simple steps to keep pets happy throughout the bonfire revelries:
Vet-Medic’s Top Tips for the Firework Season
1. Make sure your pet is safe and secure indoors before the fireworks start.
2. Get your dog or cat microchipped. Frightened and confused animals can easily get lost or injured if they escape and it is very important to make sure they can be easily identified.
3. Take your dog for a walk early in the evening before any fireworks start and provide your cat with a clean litter tray.
4. Avoid leaving your pet alone when they’re distressed and ignore the noises yourself. Seeing you behave normally will help your pet feel more settled.
5. Don’t acknowledge any fearful behaviour and don’t try to comfort your pet. This will only lead to the animal picking up on your own anxiety and can make the problem worse. Fussing over a pet who gets frightened is rewarding their negative behaviour.
6. Certainly don’t punish your pet as this only confirms to them that there really is something to be afraid of after all.
7. Create a “den” for them to take refuge in by draping a blanket over a chair or table. If they run and hide behind the sofa, don’t try to coax them out as they obviously feel safe there.
8. If you are still concerned or if your pet finds it difficult to recover from their trauma visit www.vet-medic.com for further advice on suitable treatments and behavioural therapies or contact 0800 387348 for free advice.
9. Remember about other animals too. Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and such should be kept inside in a quiet area and horses and livestock should be securely stabled during firework celebrations.
10. And finally, don’t forget to check your bonfire before lighting it as they are often used as shelter by hedgehogs and other little furry creatures.