As the nights start to draw in and Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year are creeping closer, our minds turn toward celebration and fireworks. For pets these loud noises and bright lights can be daunting and scary, but there are several things you can do to help your pet at this time of year.

There are many different signs that your pet might show if they are scared of fireworks. They can vary from hiding, vocalising and salivating to destructive behaviour. Depending on how your pet reacts can give us an idea of the best options to help them cope with these situations.

When addressing any kind of phobia or fear it is important to tackle the underlying issue. With fireworks one of the most effective ways is noise desensitisation as it is generally the noise that is scary to our pets. Noise desensitisation involves a very slow build-up of sound in a positive environment. A helpful way to do this is with a sound phobia CD, covering a range of sounds. These are usually easy to follow and can be adapted to the individual pet. Sometimes it is most appropriate to do this alongside the advice of a behaviourist. The ideal time to start this type of therapy is when there will be no interruptions from actual fireworks, as it is a gradual process can last a few months. We usually recommend starting after New Year for this reason.

So, what can we do to help your pets through this party season? This depends a lot on your pets reaction to fireworks. Making a den or safe place for your pet to hide away in and shutting windows, curtains and doors to muffle sights and sounds of the fireworks can be helpful but we also have several options with medication or pheromone therapy which can also be useful. If you would like any further information please ring the practice on 01606 880890.