Dos and Don’ts of Firework Night for Pet Owners

Bonfire night may seem a long time away, however early preparations are important if your pet gets frightened of loud bangs and pops.

Making your home calm and comfortable for your dog before the event can reduce the stress fireworks can cause. Remember to build your den in advance and associate the den with good things such as treats and toys. Plugging in an Adaptil diffuser early will help create a calm atmosphere in your home.

Although cats are masters of disguise and won’t necessarily show their fear of loud noises. Changes to their routine, such as confinement to the home during the firework season, can cause some cats to show signs of stress including spray marking, vertical scratching and aggression towards other cats in the household. Using Feliway in advance will ensure your cats feel safe and secure in their home environment helping them adapt quicker during fireworks.

Dos and Don’ts for Dog Owners

1. Do provide a den or hiding place where your dog can feel safe.



2. Do walk your dog when it is light outside during fireworks season. This reduces the chances of your pet being outside when fireworks are let off.



3. Do ignore fearful behaviour, such as panting, shaking and whining. Dogs can pick up on their owners’ anxiety which can increase the problem.



4. Do ensure your dog is inside the house and windows and doors are shut to prevent them from escaping.



5. Don’t punish your pet for excessive reactions to fireworks as this can make them more distressed.



6. Do plug in an Adaptil diffuser into your dog’s favourite room 48 hours prior to a fireworks party, which contains a synthetic copy of their natural pheromones to help increase the sense of security. An alternative could be to spray Adaptil on bedding or fit an Adaptil collar.



7. Do provide distractions such as new toys and chews during fireworks season.



8. Do stay in as much as possible with your pet during fireworks season as your normal habits will help them feel settled. The noise of the TV or music can also drown out the bangs.



9. Do get your dog micro-chipped so that if they do run away, they can be traced when found.

Dos and Don’ts for Cat Owners

1. Do ensure your cat has easy access to its favourite hiding place, whether that be under the bed or on top of the cupboards. This is a place where they can relax and feel comfortable when scared.



2. Don’t try and coax your cat out of a hiding place, they will emerge when they feel relaxed and ready.



3. Do try and keep your cat inside during Bonfire Night, securing doors, windows and cat flaps and closing the curtains to keep the noise at a minimum.



4. Do ensure your cat is inside the house and windows and doors are shut to prevent your cat from escaping. Don’t forget to provide litter trays!



5. Don’t assume your cat is fine, they are very clever at masking their own fear. Look out for signs they feel safe, which is often rubbing the head from the side of the chin to the base of the ear on household items, conveying wellbeing.



6. Do plug in a Feliway diffuser into your cat’s favourite room 48 hours prior to a fireworks party, which contains a synthetic copy of their natural pheromones to help increase the sense of security. An alternative could be to spray Feliway on Prominent objects in the home.



7. Do provide a litter tray in a private area. Serious conditions such as feline lower urinary tract disease can result from cats being reluctant to urinate.



8. Do stay in as much as possible with your pet during fireworks season as your normal habits will help them feel settled. The noise of the TV or music can also drown out the bangs.



9. Don’t try to comfort or pick up your pet if it gets distressed as fearful cats prefer to be left to cope on their own.



10. Do get your cat micro-chipped so that if they do run away, they can be traced when found.