Is your pet afraid of fireworks? Then quickly read my tips to tackle fireworks fear in pets in the right way. You love your dog, cat, bird or fish, but unfortunately your pet is afraid of fireworks. To protect your pet from fireworks, I'll give you a few tips. The tips are written from my own experience, as I have had pets all my life.
The coming period will be characterized by an increasing number of fireworks. The real highlight is December 31 (New Year's Eve). However, what is a highlight for us is often nothing more than a very terrifying experience for our pets. Be prepared and guide your pet safely and healthily through the fireworks period with the tips below.
Fireworks are usually only fired during a limited period of the year. That is why you do not have the opportunity to get your pet used to this. The animal is therefore totally unprepared for the loud bangs and all the flashes of light. The unknown causes fear and tension. It should not be forgotten that, for example, dogs have a much sharper hearing than we humans. They therefore hear all sounds amplified many times.
Is your pet afraid of fireworks? Then quickly read my tips to tackle fireworks fear in pets in the right way. You love your dog, cat, bird or fish, but unfortunately your pet is afraid of fireworks. To protect your pet from fireworks, I'll give you a few tips. The tips are written from my own experience, as I have had pets all my life.
The coming period will be characterized by an increasing number of fireworks. The real highlight is December 31 (New Year's Eve). However, what is a highlight for us is often nothing more than a very terrifying experience for our pets. Be prepared and guide your pet safely and healthily through the fireworks period with the tips below.
Fireworks are usually only fired during a limited period of the year. That is why you do not have the opportunity to get your pet used to this. The animal is therefore totally unprepared for the loud bangs and all the flashes of light. The unknown causes fear and tension. It should not be forgotten that, for example, dogs have a much sharper hearing than we humans. They therefore hear all sounds amplified many times.
Of course, this all depends on the type of pet you have. A fish does not need special treatment, while a dog and/or cat do react to fireworks. They therefore require special attention.
To keep it clear, I have put everything neatly in a row. What is the best thing to do for each pet during New Year's Eve.
As mentioned before, fish are (almost) not bothered by fireworks. This does apply if you have them in a container in front of the window or if they are outside in a pond. If you have a bowl of fish in front of the window, move it to a place where there are no flashes of light. You can of course also just cover the aquarium/bowl. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation. Do you have fish in a pond? Then make sure that the fired fireworks do not end up in the pond.
Depending on where they are, they must be protected against bright flashes of light and possibly bangs. A rodent in the house will not be bothered by fireworks. A rabbit outside in the run/pen can be startled. Perhaps you have the option to put your rabbit in an indoor pen during New Year's Eve or possibly put it in the shed.
It is best to cover the cage of your bird(s) with an old cloth. For an outdoor aviary, it is best to lock the birds in the indoor cage. Make sure that the birds can't hurt themselves, if they start flying around in panic because of the fear. Of course, this also applies when the birds cannot enter an indoor loft. Make sure that the fired fireworks do not come close to the aviary.
This is where it starts to get a bit more difficult, especially when it comes to a cat that is used to going outside normally. Make sure your cat doesn't get the chance to go outside in the early evening. Because of the loud bangs and bright flashes of light, your cat can run under a (moving) car. In addition, the cat can no longer come home because of the fright. After all, the cat then associates the unknown bangs with the nice house he had before. That then becomes a place where the cat does not want to come back.
A cat can also run away from stress and tension through everything and then get lost. To prevent this misery, you have to lock up the cat for its own good. Do this in a closed room, with closed curtains or, for example, in the bathroom. Also make sure that there are no items in the room that the cat could get hurt from if the cat panics after hearing the pops.
This is the most difficult group. Dogs are very different:where one dog becomes aggressive and wants to chase the fired fireworks, the other dog is terribly afraid. However, both are life-threatening situations for the dog.
An aggressive dog that starts snapping at or chasing fireworks can be hit (fatally) by the fireworks. A frightened dog can jump through a window, run away (and get run over or get lost). Reacting strangely due to fear, even lashing out and biting are not inconceivable risks.
To avoid all this, you should take the dog out for the last time around 9 o'clock in the evening. Then place the dog in a safe, enclosed area. Remove all items from the room that could hurt the dog. Give some toys or something else that is familiar and make sure that fireworks nuisance are limited.
Just leave your dog in the living room, keep the following in mind:
1) If the dog starts barking, ignore it completely. (Punishing, addressing or citing will be seen as a reward and will be counterproductive)
2) If the dog is very frightened then you should not encourage these feelings by petting, stroking, or cuddling the dog' comfort' or whatever † The only way to help the dog get over this is to ignore it. (This can be very difficult, I know from experience)
3) Make sure the dog can't hurt itself if there is a panic. (Also watch out for open doors, because a scared dog will not listen to your commands anymore)
4) Do not put the dog on a leash :he could hang himself from this
For the really scared dogs it is better to get a sedative . through the vet to ask. This way you know for sure that the dog will get through the fireworks nuisance 'safely'. Note here:the dog gets everything, but cannot react. This can be very frightening. Therefore, it is better to ask for a natural sedative.
Make sure that the necessary steps can be taken in case of emergency:
– Provide a first-aid kit to be able to provide first aid to your pet (bandages, cotton wool, etc.)
– The vet's number should be within reach
– Don't panic right away , your unrest spreads to your animal
– Have your dog/cat chip , at least that way you can always find your animal (in case of running away)
All that remains for me to do is wish you a safe and healthy New Year, along with your pet!
Do you have any tips for dealing with fireworks fear in pets?
