Remember remember, the dog in November
Spare a thought for your pets this Bonfire Night, a recent survey of pet owners living in Bristol has revealed that nearly 80% of us have had a pet who has been afraid of fireworks, and more than half of dog owners would like to ban them because they are too upsetting for their animals.

Research, carried out on behalf of leading pet behaviour products DAP® for dogs and Feliway® for cats, found that nearly half of dog owners experience worry due to impending fireworks, and 58% would like to see them banned altogether.

According to the survey, fireworks are the most stressful event that a pet can experience. In most cases, owners have noticed their animal becoming visibly unsettled during fireworks, with 49% of dogs shaking and 65% of cats hiding. Nearly a third of us even worry that our pet could be injured by a firework.

However, there are measures that people can take to relieve some of their animal’s stress. Juliet Penaliggon, company vet at Ceva Animal Health, explains: “The survey found that most cat and dog owners leave the TV or radio on and draw the curtains, which can be an effective way of creating a more relaxed environment for the pet. Leaving someone with your pet will give extra reassurance, and a long walk before the fireworks start may help to reduce your dog’s high energy levels. The use of the pheromone product DAP® for dogs or Feliway® for cats is also proven to help your pet settle.

“If you’re still concerned, talk to your vet who will be used to the worries that pets and their owners go through at this time of year.”

Tips to prepare dogs and cats for fireworks

• Prepare a hiding place for your pet
• Leave the television or radio switched on
• Close all your windows and curtains to muffle the sounds and stop your pet from seeing the flashing lights
• Avoid setting fireworks off in your garden
• An early evening walk might help reduce a dog’s energy levels
• If you can leave a familiar person with your cat or dog it will help them to feel reassured and calm
• Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet as this can make the problem worse
• Lock the cat flap during the fireworks to give you and your cat some peace of mind as to their safety
• Plug in a DAP® diffuser prior* to fireworks to help reassure your dog
• DAP spray can also be used on the night to add extra security
• For cats, plug in a Feliway® diffuser to make them feel more comfortable

* Plug in seven days before for best results

Visit www.petfireworkfear.co.uk for more advice.