Remember Remember Your Pets This November!

This time of year is stressful both for owners and also pets due to fireworks. Pets become anxious, unsettled and often vocal due to the loud noises, and also the flashes of light caused by the fireworks.

Below are a number of ways in which you can help keep the whole house calmer!

1. Have a darkened room: Blinds may be OK, but a room that can be entirely darkened out, using blinds or preferably black-out curtains is best. This reduces the flashing of the light that can be seen, or even prevents it entirely.

2. Have music or the TV on: It has recently been shown that music with a heavier bass may be more effective. You may not like it, but it should reduce the stress caused by the loud bangs, by masking them and also desensitising over time.

3. Separate pets: If dogs are kept together and one gets stressed, the others will quickly as well. It may be preferable to separate them, though this will not be ideal in all situations.

4. DAP plug-ins: Dog Appeasing Phermones are chemicals which are produced by the bitch when lactating (producing milk) to calm the pups. They are available either as plug-ins, collars or sprays. Their use helps reduce the stress at firework time.

5. Pharmaceuticals: There are a number of drugs which can be used to help reduce stress at this time of year. These tend to be very effective at reducing stress. The protocol is normally to give medicine at 4pm, then again at around 9pm. The idea of starting the medication at 4pm is to get the benefit of it, before the fireworks begin.

If you follow the above, 5th November should be easier for you pet...and you!