Top Ten Tips for Bonfire Night

With the firework season fast approaching here are some ideas to reduce the annual anxiety that many cats and dogs experience when the flashes and bangs start.

Start preparations early don’t wait for your pet to get distressed.

Close curtains, put the lights on and play music to disguise the noise and flashes.

Don’t over do the sympathy as this can be misinterpreted as approval for nervous behaviour.

Provide a den or safe place away from the noise where he can retreat.

Take your dog for a long walk during the day so that he is physically tired and more likely to relax in the evening.

Favourite toys or something to chew may provide a useful distraction for dogs.

Using a DAP pheromone diffuser and homeopathic remedies may help to reduce anxiety levels.

Keep calm yourself and try to maintain the normal evening routine in the house.

There are drugs that we can use to help you get your pet through the crisis. Some of the tablets we use block the memory of  noisy fireworks and make it easier to stop a recurrence of fearful behaviour.

After the fireworks season start a behaviour modification programme so that you will not need to read this poster again next year!  

Please ask if one of your pets is distressed by fireworks. There are things that we can do to help.