As 5th November draws closer, many in the UK are rejoicing at the return of Bonfire Night – the annual commemoration of the Gunpowder Plot – which for many of us, was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, if you are a pet owner you may be worried about how your pet will cope during the firework season. We share our top tips on how to keep your pets safe during Bonfire Night – especially when it comes to dealing with fireworks.
Why you need to think of your pet’s safety during Bonfire Night
The RSPCA has estimated that 62% of dogs in the UK show fear when they hear fireworks. Animal charities such as the PDSA say that the loud bangs and bright lights of fireworks can make animals anxious, with signs of anxiety in dogs including urinating and defecating in your home, aggressive or destructive behaviours to your personal belongings, excessive barking, shaking and pacing.
However, this intense anxiety in your pet can go beyond just having messes to clean and, in some situations, prove fatal. Although rare, there have been a growing number of reported cases of dogs passing away from heart attacks due to the stress from the loud noises – especially in animals that already have underlying health conditions. In fact, the RSPCA currently have an ongoing campaign titled #BangOutOfOrder, which advocates for more legislation to better regulate fireworks and protect both pets and wildlife from getting distressed.
So, if Bonfire Night events are planning to go ahead this year in your city (some areas in the UK such as Manchester have seen all their Bonfire Night events cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic) make sure you read up on our top tips below for how to keep your pets safe on Bonfire Night.
Keeping your dog safe on Bonfire Night
- Keep your dog in the house at all times. ‘Showing the dog the fireworks’ to prove that they are harmless is unlikely to be effective, as even the bright colours of firework displays will be frightening to them, and you may also run the risk of your dog running off. It is better that during firework display times you keep your dog in your home where they can be supervised.
- If possible, walk your dog during the day. As mentioned above, exposing your dog to fireworks is never a good idea, so make sure your dog gets its daily exercise during the day before the fireworks start. This may also decrease the chances of your dog having an accident in your home.
- Shut all doors and windows securely. This will help soundproof your home and eliminate the risk of your dog escaping out of fright.
- Shut all curtains and blinds. The bright lights of fireworks can also be unsettling for dogs, so shutting the curtains and blinds will help ease their anxiety levels.
- Turn up the TV or put on music to distract them. Introducing familiar sounds will help distract your dog so that they feel safe and secure in their environment.
- Build a den. Is there an area of your house that your dog enjoys sleeping and relaxing in? Make this space extra comfortable for them by adding extra blankets, their favourite toys and some treats, as dogs may draw comfort from these during their distressed episode.
- Act calmly. Some pet owners find that if they do not acknowledge the fireworks, it can help bring some control to the situation. Dogs are reactive to their owner’s behaviour, so if they witness you acting calm and unperturbed by the loud noises, it may reassure and calm them down.
It is very important that if your dog is distressed by fireworks, you do not yell at, try to punish or make too much of a fuss about them. Just give them some space and treat them like you usually would. - If the phobia is severe, try some natural calming remedies. If your dog is particularly anxious during this time of year, then a treatment formulated to induce calmness may be needed. Our Calm-Eze tablets for cats and dogs are a natural supplement that employs amino acids, vitamins and minerals to soothe pets, and can be used to calm animals during thunderstorms and during travel as well as through firework season.
Keeping your cat safe on Bonfire Night
Many of the tips mentioned for dogs above can also apply to cats, but it is also worth mentioning:
- If your cat is outdoor, keep them in whilst fireworks are happening. If your neighbours are holding their own garden firework displays, then letting your cat out during Bonfire night can be very dangerous, and we have heard too many devastating stories of cats being at the wrong place at the wrong time during Bonfire Night. Please keep your cats in to ensure their safety.
- Create hiding places around your home. Many animals, including cats, instinctually feel safer and more in control of their surroundings if they are allowed to hide. Create some hiding spaces in your home – especially in higher places such as on top of cupboards, shelves and cat trees – that your cat can take refuge in.
Keeping small animals safe on Bonfire Night
For hens, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals:
- Move them inside. If not in your home, then into a shed or garage to help protect them from the noise and reduce their stress levels.
- Soundproof their cages or hutches. This can be done easily with a light breathable blanket. Just leave a little opening so that your small animal can still look out.
- Give them extra bedding or hiding spots for comfort. Small animals will instinctually want to hide themselves to gain control over their situation. Give them extra bedding or create hiding spots to encourage this behaviour.
Overall…
Since the beginning of COVID-19 we have all been wary of keeping ourselves safe, so if you are planning on attending a Bonfire Night event, do ensure you take precautions to protect yourself such as hand gel and social distancing from others when possible.
However, in the excitement of getting to go out to large events again, we must ensure that our pets’ safety is also considered, as whether you are planning on going out or staying at home for Bonfire Night this year, measures need to be taken to keep your pets safe on Bonfire Night and during firework season.
