Bonfire Night is a time for fun and celebration, but can also be a distressing time of year for household pets. Fireworks can be dangerous as well as scary, and you need to plan ahead to keep your pets safe.
Bonfire Night or also known as Guy Fawkes Night is on November 5th and is an annual celebration. The origins of the celebration lies in the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes and a number of Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London.
This event takes place all over the United Kingdom with both private and public celebrations. There are firework displays and bonfires, not just on the night itself but often spanning an entire week or more. There are many traditional foods that are eaten on Bonfire Night. These include bonfire toffee and parkin. You can also eat toffee apples, jacket potatoes and black peas and vinegar. This is a wonderful and fun British custom that the whole family can enjoy.
The RSPCA says about 45% of dogs in the UK will show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. Don’t scold them for barking or being afraid as this will just exacerbate the anxious behaviour.Traditionally, Bonfire Night always sees an increase in dogs becoming missing. This is because they can run away after being frightened by the fireworks and noise.
To prevent your dog from becoming one of the missing animals during this celebration you should keep them indoors when fireworks are going off. You will want to make sure all doors and windows are firmly shut so your dog can’t run outdoors. Remember to secure the dog flap too. To prevent your pets from becoming missing you should have them tagged or micro chipped to ensure they will be returned if they are lost. You can prevent your dog from being distressed on Bonfire Night by planning ahead and making sure your pet is indoors and comfortable.
All animals can be terrified of fireworks and you can eliminate some of the stress by following some general guidelines. Also remember that small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits can also be frightened by the noise. If possible bring small animals indoors. If that is not possible then you should put them inside an outhouse or garden shed to give them more protection from the noise.You could have the TV on or play some music to muffle the noise. Try playing games with your dog whilst fireworks are being let off, or stroking him to calm him down. If you pay attention to them they will associate the noise with something nice and not scary.
Horses have to be protected from fireworks too. Often the noise from fireworks will make a horse bolt and they could become injured. You should make sure that all of your horses, donkeys and ponies are stabled during fireworks. You should close the stable door so the fireworks can’t be viewed by your equine companions.
You will want to keep your cats indoors too, and make sure all cat flaps, windows and doors are shut tight. You might want to have your cat tagged or micro chipped in case they are lost or go missing during Bonfire Night. If your cat wants to hide or take refuge somewhere just let them be. You can cause them more stress if you try to coax them out of hiding.
To make this night as easy as possible on your pet dogs and cats you will want to plan ahead. During the day you should make sure you give your dog plenty of exercise before putting them indoors for the evening. You should never walk your dog while fireworks are being let off. They can become frightened and bolt out into traffic or become missing. Cats can also be affected by the noise of fireworks – give your cat lots of reassuring cuddles to allay her fears.
You may want to talk to your vet if your pet dog is very stressed out by fireworks. There are long term solutions for desensitising pets to fireworks. You can get information about these at your vet’s office. Your vet will be able to tell you what treatments are available for your pet. They might prescribe a sedative to help your dog stay calm. If you are going to use a sedative make sure you give it to your dog before the fireworks even begin. This way the medication will have time to take effect.
The RSPCA has a leaflet that contains practical advice on how to use sound therapy. They have also teamed up with Sound Therapy 4 Pets to endorse the Sounds Scary CD Therapy. Most owners don’t realise that the fear and trauma your pets can go through is a treatable problem. There is a multitude of advice available which can help you and your pets through this difficult time.
Fireworks night should be a fun celebration that people can look forward to each year. With a little planning and preparation not only can you protect your pets from some of the traumas and potential injuries associated with fireworks but also your pocket from unexpected vets bills with dog insurance, cat insurance and even horse insurance by Animal Friends Insurance
Tags: bonfire night, fireworks, guy fawkes, helping pets, microchipping, nervous pets, pet insurance, pet safety, protect pets
