You & Your Pet

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE DURING FIREWORK SEASON

October welcomes the wonderful colours of autumn, however this is also a time when our skies are lit by the bright lights of fireworks and the unnatural sounds that accompany them.

To some, this is a beautiful sight but to our four-legged friends and other small creatures, firework season can be a

terrifying experience. While we can’t control the skies and this annual celebration, there are a few things we can do to help our best friends and other helpless small animals through it.

Preparation is key to helping create a safe and comfortable place for our pets and other garden visitors. Below are some excellent tips to help our four-legged friends get through this season.

Create a safe space for your dog or cat to go to. Making the perfect den using a crate or cat bed with their favourite blankets, toys and perhaps some small treats to try and help them relax. Try to place this in the quietest part of your home.

Firework sound effects are easy to download, buy or just play on Youtube. This is a great way to help your pets gradually get used to the sounds of fireworks if you start by playing them in

advance. Start the volume off low and gradually increase and hopefully when the fireworks go off your four-legged friend

won’t take any notice.

For cats and dogs, there are a huge variety of calming aids which are perfect for this time of the year. Plug-indiffusers from Pet Remedy, Feliway & Adaptil are becoming increasingly popular and a great way to keep most pets calm. Calming sprays, wipes and dog-friendly tablets will get you through October and early November.

Trying to keep your furry friends busy using puzzle mats, lick mats, as well as toys which can hold small treats, are great at distracting them from the noise.

During the day is the perfect time to walk your dog and avoid the displays. And as well as letting your cat out for the morning and afternoon, try to keep them indoors throughout the night, and get them settled in that safe space we previously mentioned.

For any small animals outside, if you are unable to have them indoors then cover their pens, don’t forget to include a sufficient amount of bedding which will allow them to burrow

deep and protect their small ears from the sounds.

For horses, nothing beats having you there in person to reassure them and make them feel safe. Also available are boredom breakers which might help with distracting them for a small while, but using one of these will also depend on their sugar intake due to the amount one might contain – consult with your vet or a member of our staff in the store.

And finally lets not forget our local wildlife, this can be a

particularly dangerous time for hedgehogs, especially if they decided to make a nest or hide out underneath a potential bonfire. If you have hedgehog friends in or near your garden,

why not purchase a hedgehog house? Not only are these a safe place for them to rest and perhaps hibernate throughout the winter, but they can also look great in your garden.

As always, if you have any questions regarding the upcoming firework season, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member

of our team, you can pop into the store or get in touch via any of our social channels or website. n

Ashlee is the social media and marketing assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.