Planning For Firework Displays In The Festive Season
As an animal owner, seeing your pet in distress can be extremely upsetting but you need to understand that your pet is afraid and anxious but happily, there are things that you can do to make things less traumatic for them.
Create a Hideaway
Many dogs and kitties will conceal themselves whenever they hear fireworks. This might be an instinctive response to their fear. Make a cosy and inviting hideaway in which your animal can take refuge whenever they feel stressed. This can be in the kind of place that your animal regularly hides whenever they're afraid such as inside a clothes basket or behind your lounge seating. It is better maybe not to uproot them from a favored hiding destination as this can produce more anxiety. You can assist your pet's refuge further by making it further soundproofed by adding cushions as an insulation.
Introduce your animal to the hideaway in the days leading up to the firework season and offer them unrestricted access. You may possibly desire to make use of treats and compliments as incentives for this, they will begin to see their sanctuary hideaway in a good light.
During The Firework Shows
Camouflage Outside Noise
Playing music with a repeated beat can dress up some of the loud bangs, cracks and whirls that are created by fireworks, so that animals are less mindful and less frightened. This camouflaging music should be played at a medium volume levels.
Try To Avoid Overly Comforting Your Pet
If your animal is distressed, your very first instinct may be to attempt to reassure them. This can really be the incorrect thing to do as this type of unusual attention can verify to your animal that there surely is something serious to be afraid of. Particularly for cats, can be made to feel much more anxious by being cuddled. Many cats will choose to discover their own methods for coping, using tactics such as hiding in their safe hideaway.
Use Soothing Pheromones
Pheromone plug-ins can help reduce your pet’s anxiety by releasing calming pheromones into the environment. These will be evident to your animal but perhaps not to people.
Bring Exterior Pets Inside
Outside animals should be brought inside where feasible so that the firework shows have less chance to scare them. Where this is not so easy, dress hutches or cages with blankets to supply some level of additional soundproofing.
Seek Expert Advice If These Tactics Don't Do The Trick
If your animal features a phobia of noisy noises such as fireworks, you may advised to look for expert advice from a veterinarian. Remedies are available to assist with this, including behavioural techniques that desensitise animals and show them not to fear noisy and sudden sounds.