While many of us look forward to Bonfire Night and the accompanying firework displays, many pets become stressed and fearful in the run up to and during the fireworks season.

In some situations being fearful can be useful; fear is a mechanism that alerts an animal to danger and so may protect it from harm. However, if an animal is afraid of something that does not pose a threat, for example fireworks and loud bangs, such fear can be unhelpful and if not managed it can even escalate into a more serious phobia.

So how can you recognise if your pet is scared? There are a number of symptoms of fear to look out for which may vary between cats and dogs. Thankfully, there are a number of things we can do to help our pets cope during and around Bonfire Night. Often mild fireworks fears can be successfully managed by using Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats to comfort and reassure, especially when used in combination with our hints and tips information page. 

If you do find however that your pet has an exaggerated response to fireworks it may be that it has developed a phobia. Please call the surgery for advice. Ask to speak to Leeann our behaviour specialist about the best treatment for your pet. It is mostly dogs that develop such phobias and they may be helped by a desensitisation programme, which combines the use of Adaptil with the Sounds Scary CD, available from Albavet veterinary surgery, which teaches dogs that loud noises need not be scary at all.

Cats & Fireworks

You know your pet better than anybody and you probably notice changes when your cat experiences a difficult situation, such as the sights and sounds of Bonfire Night.

During the firework season many cats become stressed and fearful, displaying a range of symptoms, which may include:

• Cowering and hiding behind or on top of furniture

• Trying to run away

• Soiling the house

• Refusing to eat

Dogs & Fireworks

During the firework season many dogs become stressed and fearful. However, there are measures that owners can take to create a more relaxed environment for their pet.

If you are wondering whether your dog is having trouble coping with loud noises, check this list of symptoms:

• Trembling and shaking

• Clinging to owners

• Barking excessively

• Trembling and shaking

• Cowering and hiding behind furniture

•  Trying to run away

• Soiling the house

• Pacing and panting

• Refusing to eat

Fireworks are the most stressful event that a dog can experience. In most cases, owners have noticed their animal becoming visibly unsettled during fireworks. However, if measures are not taken to help reassure the dog during these experiences they may get worse with each firework encounter. This could result in a phobia of loud noises of any kind, which will be much harder to treat.

An animal with a noise phobia will have a much more intense reaction: it will start to panic at the slightest noise and the reaction is always sudden, extreme and excessive. If you think your pet might be phobic speak to one of our vets about prescription medication and desensitisation therapy that may be used alongside Adaptil.

Tips & Guidelines

1. Provide a den or hiding place where your pet can feel safe

2. Increase your pet’s feeling of security by plugging in an Adaptil or Feliway diffuser as close to the den or hiding place as possible.

3. Ignore fearful behaviour, such a panting, shaking and whining. Dogs may pick up on their owner’s anxiety which could make the problem worse

Further Advice

• In the run up to Bonfire Night walk your dog when it is still light outside. This reduces the possibility of fireworks being set off and your dog becoming worried.

• Make sure all windows, doors and cat flaps are securely closed during fireworks night. This will reduce the chances of your pets escaping.

• Provide extra litter trays for cats in case they are not used to being confined to the house.

• Provide distractions, for example new toys or chews, while fireworks are happening. Draw curtains and switch on the TV to mask the noise from the fireworks.

• Try not to leave your pets alone while fireworks are going off, pets will be more relaxed when they have a familiar person with them during this time.

• DO NOT punish your pet! This will only make your pet more distressed.

Adaptil/DAP diffuser

Adaptil® offers a natural, convenient and unique solution to canine stress, helping comfort and reassure dogs in challenging situations and prevent or reduce stress-related inappropriate behaviours.

The Adaptil® Diffuser is a discrete plug-in which bathes the home in a synthetic copy of the ‘canine appeasing pheromone’, a natural product proven to comfort both puppies and adult dogs.

Uses:

• Help reduce stress-related behaviours in response to challenging situations (fireworks, Christmas, new baby etc

• Help puppies settle in new homes

• Help rescue dogs settle in new homes

 

In addition, by reducing stress during training Adaptil® may help puppies and adult dogs learn more effectively.

Adaptil® is designed specifically for dogs, is odourless, non-sedative and has no effect on people or any other animals.

Scientifically proven – Adaptil® has been used by behaviourists, veterinary experts and welfare charities for the last 9 years and its effects have been shown in more than 16 studies published in reputable scientific journals or at veterinary conferences.

Each pack contains:

• 1 x Adaptil® Diffuser

• 1 x 48 ml D.A.P.® Refill vial

• 1 x Full instructions for use

Covers 50-70m

Each vial lasts up to 4 weeks. Refills can be purchased and replaced as required.

Feliway

What is Feliway®?

Feliway® is a synthetic copy of the ‘feline facial pheromone’ and is proven to reassure and comfort cats, helping them to cope with changes in their environment or other stressful situations.

The effects of Feliway® has been shown in more than 13 studies published in scientific journals or presented at veterinary conferences all over the world.

Clinical trials show a reduction in urine spraying in up to 91% of households and up to 96% reduction in stress-related vertical scratching.

What are ‘Facial pheromones’?

When a cat feel safe and comfortable in its environment, it rubs its head against the furniture, walls, bottom of curtains etc, leaving a substance call the facial pheromone. This pheromone is specific to cats and conveys a message of security and reassurance. In the presence of this pheromone cats are seen to show less signs of stress.

Feliway® can be used to:

• Help reduce, prevent or stop indoor spraying or vertical scratching

• Help prevent tension or reduce conflict between cats and restore harmony with your household

• Help prevent or reduce stress-related behavioural or medical problems (i.e.: Loss of appetite or reduced desire to interact and play, general nervous behaviour, urinary problems etc…)

• Help your cat cope in stressful situations – Multi-cat households, changes to the environment (i.e. a stay in a cattery, new home or another disruption in the cat’s territory such as visitors, builders, Christmas etc.)

• Transportation

Feliway® can also be used under direction from a vet or feline behaviourist to help cats showing other stress-related behavioural or medical problems.