14th October 2008

Prepare Now For Fireworks

Read more: Behaviour | Comments (0)

Bonfire Night may go with a bang for you and your family, but it is estimated that approximately 60 per cent of pets become stressed and fearful during the firework season. To make matters worse, not only are many owners unaware how to help their pets with firework fears, veterinary professionals believe 71 percent of owners are unable to spot the signs that their pets are unhappy.

With this in mind, CEVA Animal Health has joined forces with PDSA, Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and Sound Therapy 4 Pets to launch a 'Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign to provide you with hints and tips on how to look after your pets during the firework season and the precautions you should take to help them cope with their fear of loud noises.

Featuring a wide range of advice from using synthetic copies of natural pheromones - D.A.P. ^® for dogs and Feliway^® for cats - which help comfort and reassure fearful pets, to getting them microchipped in case they escape, the 'Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign will help both you and your pets relax during the firework festivities.

"Dogs and cats have very acute hearing and the noise from fireworks may actually be painful for them," comments Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health. "It's therefore important that all owners prepare their pets for Bonfire Night and discuss this issue with their vets in plenty of time."

Owners of particularly fearful pets are advised to discuss behavioural programs with their vets well in advance of Bonfire Night. Dog owners should create a comforting 'den' for their pets on the night. Encourage pets to use the 'den' by hiding healthy food treats or toys there. The benefit of the 'den', which can be an enclosed bed or basket, can be maximised by plugging a D.A.P.^® Diffuser close to it. Switching the diffuser on around a week before Bonfire Night will allow the pheromone to build up to significant levels and ensure pets are as relaxed as possible before, during and after the firework season. In addition, D.A.P.^® Spray can be used to give support on the night of the event. D.A.P.^® is also available in a collar formulation, designed to reduce the dog’s general level of stress.

Most cats manage their fear of loud noises by voluntarily staying indoors. Owners should encourage this behaviour and ensure that cats can access their favourite 'bolthole'. This may often be up high, for example on the top of cupboards. Plugging a Feliway^® Diffuser in the room where the cat spends most of its time 48 hours before the festivities will also increase its sense of security.

David Ryan, representing the Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors (APBC), said, "It is not unusual for dogs and cats to be afraid of loud and unpredictable noises, but what starts as a mild response can escalate as pets fail to cope with the emotional challenges generated by fireworks. This can lead to a rise in anxiety that continues long after the firework season ends, increasing fear generally and seriously affecting their quality of life. APBC members have helped countless pets and their owners to manage the immediate problems presented by fireworks and with further measures to improve their future welfare. We support this campaign wholeheartedly. It is never too soon or too late to help your pet."

Claire Bessant of the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) added, "The Feline Advisory Bureau welcomes this initiative to draw attention to potential problems for cats during the firework season. As this is now often a period of several weeks rather than just one day, FAB would encourage cat owners to take on board this sensible advice and consider the welfare of their cats."

Sean Wensley, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, agrees, "The fear and distress experienced by so many of our pets each year because of fireworks is significant. As the UK's leading veterinary charity, PDSA recognises the role that pet owners and the veterinary profession alike have in helping our pets stay free from fear on Bonfire Night, using the well evidence-based methods being promoted by this important campaign".

With this in mind, CEVA Animal Health has joined forces with PDSA, Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and Sound Therapy 4 Pets to produce ten top tips to help your pets cope with the firework season:

• Allow your dog or cat to retreat to its favourite hideaway. This bolthole is where they feel safe. You can further increase this feeling of security and wellbeing by plugging in a D.A.P.^® or Feliway^® Diffuser
• On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps
• Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost
• In the run up to the firework season, ensure dogs are used to being taken for walks early in the evening and cats are provided with litter trays both before and during the firework season
• Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks
• Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet. A dog may pick up on your anxiety and this can make the problem worse. Cats prefer to be left to cope on their own
• Do not punish your pet. This only confirms that there is something to be afraid of
• Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off. Seeing you acting normally will help your pets feel more settled
• Speak to your vet. D.A.P.^® Spray can be used to give dogs additional support on the night of the event
• If you are worried that your pet is taking a long time to recover from the firework festivities, speak to your vet.

For further information on how to prepare your pet for the firework season, please contact your vet or visit www.petfireworkfear.co.uk.

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