Copyright dailyrecord
With Bonfire Night just around the corner (Wednesday, November 5), pet owners can start taking steps now to help prepare and protect their dogs from being frightened by the loud fireworks. Many pet owners will already know about the significant stress and fear that often overwhelms our furry companions during firework displays. This typically occurs due to the loud, unpredictable bangs and flashing lights, which activate their instinctive "fight-or-flight" response. Animals' hearing is generally more sensitive than humans', meaning the booms can be physically painful, whilst the sudden, random nature of the explosions proves confusing and threatening to them, resulting in panic and anxiety. According to the Dog Trust , signs that your dog or cat might be stressed or frightened by fireworks include whining, barking, or even crying. However, they might not always respond vocally, as other common indicators include being clingier than usual, excessive panting or drooling, having their tail tucked between their legs, or seeking somewhere to hide or escape from the loud and sudden sounds. Fortunately, there are measures we as pet owners can take to help safeguard our pets ahead of Bonfire Night, with several things you can begin doing now to prepare your dog for the fireworks on Bonfire Night. "Before fireworks start, do these four things to help your dog," a woman from Woodgreen Pets Charity said in a TikTok video, before sharing her tips on how to keep your pets calm and safe while the fireworks are going off. If you have some days to prepare for the fireworks, the woman urged pet owners to start preparing your pup now in order to make them familiar with the noises of fireworks. "Start now, play fireworks sounds when your dog is having their dinner, or is chewing on a chew," she said. "That way, they'll start to link the firework noises with nice things and being calm." Next up, she went on to recommend to draw the curtains to block out the flashes and pop the TV on, or to put some music on for when the fireworks are starting. "That will help to kind of dampen the sound, and help your dog stay a bit calmer," she said. If they seem unbothered, the Dog Trust also recommend to keep your dog busy, such as playing with them while the fireworks are happening in order to distract them. Just make sure to try to stay calm yourself, as dogs are really good at sensing and mirroring our own fear and anxiety. For the third tip, she went on to say: "If your dog panics, it's absolutely okay to reassure them, to comfort them. It's not gonna make their fear any worse." However, if your dog is attempting to hide from the noises, you should allow them to do so, as this might be their best coping mechanism to help them calm down. If fear causes your dog to misbehave or make a mess, try to avoid telling them off, as this could exacerbate their fear, advises the Dog Trust. They also suggest altering your usual walking routines and taking your dog out for their evening walk a bit earlier to ensure you're back home before the fireworks begin. "When you take them out for walks, go earlier in the day before dusk if there are likely to be fireworks going off," she advised. She further added: "And also make sure that their tag and their microchip details are up to date - just in case anything happens."
