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Fire Works Fear

As the nights start to draw in and the warm weather becomes a distant memory it means that Fireworks Night is soon going to be upon us.  Unfortunately some pets just hate the loud bangs, whooshes and flashes of light.  If your pet shows destructive behaviour or hides or cowers then it is showing signs of FEAR.  Pets that are showing signs of anxiety may pant, pace, stop eating, tremble or go to the toilet more often. Even mild signs like lip smacking or yawning may mean that your Pet is saying “I don’t like these noises”.

There are several different things that you can do to help your pet cope with Fireworks.  If they show signs of FEAR then please go to your vet as early as possible so we can prescribe medication to help.

Anxious pets will benefit from calming products such as ADAPTIL or FELIWAY Diffusers or KALM-AID or ZYLKENE which are all based on natural calming systems and can be brought over the counter from us.
It is very important not to re-enforce any negative behaviour and by following the tips below you may help your pet cope.

Follow these top tips to help your pet cope with firework fears:

• Don’t punish your pet for being scared.
• Make sure your pet is in a safe and secure environment – do not take them outside when fireworks are likely to be used.  This may mean taking your dog for a walk earlier in the evening.
• Try and reduce the noise and light by closing curtains, closing windows and putting on a television or radio.
• Try not to fuss your pet as this will positively encourage fearful behaviour.  Calm invitations to sit next to you is ok but avoid forced affection.
• Using terms like “sit” and then treating the dog direct the reward towards calmly sitting rather than being treated for being nervous.
• Ignore any negative behaviour but engage when they are calm.
• Create a safe haven NOT a “bolt hole”
• Ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.
• Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened animals can easily get lost.

If your pet shows signs of anxiety or fear this year it may be worth trying a sound de-sensitisation programme before next year.  This can take a long time and must be followed through properly to work.  Talk to your vet if this is something that interests you.

Speak to your vet. about D.A.P.® for dogs or Feliway Diffuser® for cats or Zylkene, or Kalm-Aid

More information on firework fear can be found at http://www.petfireworkfear.co.uk

D.A.P. ® is a synthetic copy of the natural canine appeasing pheromone released by the nursing bitch. D.A.P.® is the only product scientifically proven to reduce the intensity of fear felt by a dog during firework exposure.

D.A.P. ® is available as a plug-in diffuser, spray and collar.  The collar starts calming within hours but the diffuser must be plugged in several days before the fireworks start.
Feliway® is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone used by cats to mark their environment as safe and secure. Feliway® is the only product scientifically proven to control the signs of feline stress and may help reduce fearful reactions to loud noises and prevent stress due to indoor confinement.
Feliway® is available as a diffuser and spray.

Zylkène is a novel natural product derived from milk protein, which has relaxing properties and is proven to help manage stress in cats and dogs. Zylkène comes in capsules and is given once a day, either in a treat or the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. The powder is palatable and so administration is usually straightforward.There are no known side effects and it doesn’t cause problems such as sedation or memory loss.  Your pet must be given Zylkene daily for at least a week before the fireworks start.

News — Last updated on October 17, 2011