FIREWORKS are a brilliant no problems. way to celebrate special If for any reason you have occasions such as New Year’s not done that, or your pet Eve as well as big sporting is frightened in spite of all events and religious holidays your efforts, there are still a – right? things you can do to help Not if you happen to them during fireworks or be an animal. All animals, thunderstorms. domesticated and wild, are Dogs and cats often feel hardwired by evolution to more secure if they have a find loud noises frightening. small, enclosed space to hide It’s an automatic in when they are afraid, so response to an unidentified providing a den can help. threat, which may cause This can be as simple as an the animal to bolt before area between two armchairs, the brain has had time to or a small table with a process the information blanket draped over. the ears are presenting. The Cats will often get under only way the response can the bed or behind the sofa. be changed or reduced is For severe cases ask your vet by training, desensitisation to prescribe medication. or habituation to the Make sure that both cats noise. It’s easy to see why and dogs are indoors well fireworks and thunder are so before the fireworks start, to frightening to animals. prevent them running away JAN H OOLE They are loud, sudden and in a panic and getting lost or send shock waves through injured. Stay at home with the air and the ground. In your companion animal to technical terms they activate give them added security and the auditory startle response. help them to stay calm. Many dogs, cats and other Larger animals, including creatures spend Guy Fawkes, horses, can be more difficult New Year’s Eve and Diwali to deal with. Being flight in a state of terror. A study animals, their reaction to in the UK found up to 49% loud noises is to run as fast of owners reported that their as possible in the opposite dogs were afraid of noises, direction. and fireworks were the As with all number one cause. animals, desensitisation to the Thunderstorms and loud noise beforehand is the gunshots were the next two best solution. Desensitisation most common issues. to loud noises can prevent horses from injuring The good news is we can sometimes help our pets themselves during fireworks events. Managing to overcome fear, or prevent them developing it, with horses during fireworks events is crucial, but it can be training and management techniques. a difficult decision whether to leave your horse out The most important time for socialising dogs and or bring it into the stable. Some prefer to run around getting them used to “scary stuff”, is the first 12 outdoors while others feel more secure inside. weeks of life: the socialisation period. For kittens, We can help our pets overcome their fear or give the window is even shorter: up to seven weeks. them some comfort with training, but there is little we During this time, they need to get used to the idea can do to reduce the distress of wild animals. We need that unexpected, loud, bright, confusing things may to tackle the problems caused by fireworks, reducing happen and they are nothing to worry about. the decibel level of displays, or removing the bangs If you have been able to do this with your pet altogether is the answer. Would fireworks be any less during those first crucial weeks, then you may have beautiful if they were silent? | The Conversation
How to keep your pets calm and happy during New Year’s Eve fireworks
