New Years is an exciting time – new beginnings, time with friends, and of course, fireworks! However, fireworks can be quite scary forpets and cause a lot of anxiety and stress.
Why do pets find fireworks so stressful? Typically, animals have better hearing than humans, which means that sudden bangs, pops and whistles can affect them a lot more. Those unpredictable loud noises with the addition of flashing lights are a recipe for anxiety.
Common reactions we see are:
· Trembling, pacing
· Panting, vocalisation
· Trying to hide or escape
· Clinginess
· Avoidance
· Destructive behaviour (chewing, scratching, etc)
Make sure your pet’s microchip details are up-to-date as many pets unfortunately escape when fireworks. Making sure your pet’s details are current will mean that, in the unfortunate event that your pet escapes,they can get reunited with you when found.
At Northside Vets, we want to make New Years as relaxing as possible for your pets, so here are a few tips on how to reduce and manage stress during this season.
Get their energy out early
A long walk, fun play session or extra enrichment can help take the edge off later by spending energy now. When the fireworks are occurring, make sure to keep pets inside.
Create a “safe zone”
Some pets like a cozy hideout – consider giving them their favourite blanket or toy with some cozy hiding spots. Having the area be a dimly-lit (e.g.a dark room) with familiar scents can help reduce stress.
Provide distractions
Treat puzzles, toys (e.g. Kong Toys with Peanut Butter) and other things that take their attention off the noise and onto something else are a great tool!
Close windows and curtains
This helps dampen noise and block the bright flashes that can startle pets.
Put on background noise
This can help reduce the ambient firework sounds. Think about using a white noise machine, calming music or putting something on the TV. YouTube and Spotify have a lot of “Music for cats and dogs” playlists – make sure to check them out!
Positive Reinforcement
Make sure to NEVER punish your pet for anxious behaviour during fireworks, as these can exacerbate their behaviour. Lots of positive reinforcement during this time is much better.
Use medication
Despite all this preparation, some pets may still get quite nervous during fireworks. If this is the case, it may be necessary to use medication to calm your pet during these events. If you would like to discuss medication, please don’t hesitate to call us on (03) 7053 7730 to book an appointment.
A little planning now can make a huge difference when fireworks happen! If you have any questions or worries about your pet’s stress levels, just give us a ring – we are just a phone call away!
