Keeping Your Pet Safe During Firework Season 

October is a month that brings about change as we begin to prepare for winter. Which is just around the corner.  This is also the month where we have seen an increase in the number of fireworks. Especially as the nights get darker earlier. 

These colourful displays, although breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately, can terrify our pets and other living creatures, with the loud unnaturally piercing sounds that accompany them. 

Preparation is key to helping create a safe and comfortable place for our pets and other garden visitors. Below are some excellent tips for keeping your pet safe during firework season. 

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Fireworks Season – Dogs & Cats

Desensitise Them To The Sound Of Fireworks

• One of our top tips for helping your four-legged friend get through these loud frightening sounds. Is to play the different sound effects you may hear when a firework goes off. With so much access to audio, there really is no excuse for not trying this out. Youtube and BBC Sounds are great sites for random sounds which will include fireworks. Dogs Trust has also teamed up with two veterinary surgeons who happen to specialise in pet behavioural therapy. To create a selection of different sounds which happen to include the sound of fireworks. The idea is to play these sounds and gradually increase the volume. This will help your pet get used to the noise. This is a great easy and safe way to help your dogs get used to sounds, that could otherwise make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe.  

Create A Safe Haven For Them

• Create a safe space for your four-legged friends. Find a quiet place in the home and let this be the spot that your pet can go to take refuge should they need it. Using a crate, a box, or a cat or dog bed. Fill it with your bestie’s favourite blankets, toys and some treats. If possible, cover the den with blankets to help mute the sounds of fireworks. George Barclay has some beautifully designed blankets that are perfect for creating a comfortable cosy den. They are heavy enough to block out sound should you wish to use them on the outside of the den. This should be their little haven, a place they can hide should they feel stressed or scared. Why not build this in advance so your four-legged friend can get used to it. Letting them see the den as a place where they can get some solace.

Walk Them Before Fireworks Start

• For the month of October and early November, it might be worthwhile taking your dogs out for walks earlier on in the day especially if the sound of fireworks makes them feel uneasy, anxious or stressed as this will hopefully prevent them from being exposed to any fireworks when out and about. Avoid letting your dog off the lead in case any fireworks are set off during the day as this may startle your pup causing them to run in fear. 

Keep Them Entertained With Toys

• Try to prevent your cat from going out in the evening because they may get frightened when out and about which could result in them running in a panic for safety and end up getting lost or injured. Why not stock up on games to keep your cat entertained? Kong have some great toys to keep your cats and kittens entertained for hours such as a Kong Laser Toy, Kong Infused Cat Gyro which is a great treat dispenser which you will find entices your cat to play or any of Kong’s range of small animal themed catnip refillable toys. 

Drown Out The Sound

• To reduce the chances of your pets hearing the loud bangs from the fireworks, turn the volume up on the TV or radio. To create a sense of familiarity why not put on your favourite series or soothing playlist? Close all windows and curtains. 

Comfort Your Pet

• If your pet seems stressed, try to avoid panicking because this could make the situation worse. Reassure them and if you feel like they need comforting then comfort them but some pets like to be alone. Never get angry with a stressed or anxious pet, this could create all sorts of problems in the future, especially around firework season. Never lock them inside a crate either, crates should not be used as a form of punishment, they should be used as a safe space where your pet can take themselves off and relax.

Ensure They Have Their Own Space

• Make Sure your home is full of places your pets can hide if they feel frightened, especially cats. Why not get a few cardboard boxes and place them in different areas around the house. Cats love nothing more than small dark spaces. 

Invest In Some Enrichment Toys

• As mentioned earlier, keeping your pets distracted is a great way to prevent them from becoming anxious or stressed. Puzzle mats and lick mats are a great way to keep them busy and focused. They might not hear the noises from outside and cats will be too busy to want to leave the house. 

Use Pheromone Sprays To Soothe & Calm Your Pet

• Pheromone sprays, diffusers, wipes and pet-friendly calming tablets are becoming increasingly popular calming aids amongst pet parents. Pet Remedy have a great selection which includes a plug-in diffuser, this is designed using a natural combination of valerian oil which will have a calming effect. Blended with sweet basil and clary sage essential oils when combined creating an enjoyable scent. That will spread throughout the home whilst calming your four-legged family members. 

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Fireworks Season – Horses

You Will Be Their Biggest Comfort

• Due to the size of a horse, they can’t be tucked away safely in your home but there are a few things you can do to help get them through firework season. One of the easiest and probably the most obvious is to stay with your horse when the fireworks are planned to go off. This will give your horse great comfort as you will be able to reassure them. If there is a fireworks display nearby, speak with whoever may be running the display and make them aware that you have a horse nearby and that would they be able to set their fireworks off in the opposite direction to where your horse will be.

Boredom Breakers Can Keep Them Distracted

• Boredom breakers are also a great way to keep your horse distracted, check with your local vet if you plan to give your horse one of these because of their sugar content. 

Use Pheromone Sprays To Soothe & Calm Your Pet

• Pet remedy has designed some soothing products that are suitable for your horses, remedy calming wipes can be used not only directly onto your horse but also within their stable space, on their rugs etc. 

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Fireworks Season – Small Animals

Can You Bring Your Small Animals Indoors?

• Rabbits and guinea pigs are often kept outside. If this is the case consider bringing them indoors if there are any firework displays nearby. If this just isn’t an option. Fill their huts with extra bedding. This will encourage them to hide away and burrow in a space to help them feel safe. Like with the dog crate and cat beds. Covers their hutches with blankets to help reduce the sound of the fireworks. Don’t forget to leave gaps for ventilation. 

Don’t Forget About The Hedgehogs

• Bonfire night is especially dangerous for our small spiky friends. This is the time of year when hedgehogs begin looking for a place to hibernate and call home for the next few months and what can be more appealing than a bonfire before it’s lit. This will seem like the perfect spot to rest and hide away from the colder weather and other dangers that might be lurking in the outdoors. Not only does it seem like the perfect hiding spot, but there is also sure to be a great supply of food because hedgehogs love nothing more than insects. 

Why Not Buy Them A Hedgehog House?

• To prevent any hedgehogs in your area from moving in under a potential bonfire. Create a space for them in or near your garden. They are quiet little neighbours who come out at night for food. We stock the National Trusts Pine Hedgehog House both online and in our stores. This is the perfect place for a hedgehog to take residence in their months of hibernation. Alternatively, you could make your own hedgehog house. Keeping your garden a little untidy will encourage these small animals to take shelter in your space because they will have plenty of spaces to hide and forage. 

Unfortunately, fireworks are not limited to one day anymore. Quite often you may find people setting them off throughout September until November. With this in mind, we’d advise you to make sure your pets are microchipped. Also, that all your details are up to date. For example, you may have your dog off the lead and an unexpected firework may go off and spook them. Or perhaps your cat is out and about in the evening and a similar thing happens to them. Check there are no easy escape routes in the house. Because if your pet is scared the first thought is flight. So they will try and get out if they can.

As always, if you have any questions regarding ‘Keeping Your Pet Safe During Firework Season’. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team. You can pop into the store or get in touch via any of our social channels or website.