Pet owners across Bath are being urged to take extra precautions to help keep their animals calm and safe during Bonfire Night and the wider fireworks season.
Bath Cats and Dogs Home has joined Bristol Animal Rescue Centre and Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home to share advice for owners, as survey figures show the distress fireworks can cause to animals.
A recent RSPCA survey found that almost two-thirds, 63%, of pet owners said their pets were distressed by fireworks. The charity also receives around 400 calls each year relating to fireworks and animal welfare concerns across England and Wales.
Tips for keeping your pet safe
The charities are advising owners to plan ahead and take a number of simple precautions:
- Find out when fireworks displays are taking place locally.
- Create a quiet, safe space or den in your pet’s favourite area of the home.
- Have treats, toys and games ready to provide a distraction.
- Make sure frightened pets cannot escape from the house or garden.
- Consider using a pheromone diffuser near your pet’s bed or den.
- Speak to your vet if your pet is known to become particularly anxious around fireworks.
On Bonfire Night, cats should be kept indoors and provided with a litter tray and somewhere safe to hide.
Dogs should be walked earlier in the day, before fireworks are likely to begin. If they need to go outside later in the evening, owners are advised to accompany them into the garden.
Where possible, pets should not be left alone. Closing windows and curtains and playing calming music can also help reduce the impact of loud bangs.
Treats, interactive toys and gentle play can provide a distraction, but owners should not force nervous animals out of hiding. Instead, they should be allowed to come out when they feel ready.
Signs your pet may be frightened
Signs of firework-related stress can include:
- shivering, trembling or panting
- excessive barking
- hiding or pacing
- becoming unusually clingy
- whining or crying.
Denise Laughlin, Head of Animal Welfare at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, said: “We’d advise being prepared to help your pets feel calm and safe before the fireworks start. Give your pets somewhere quiet to retreat to if they feel nervous about loud noises.
“A den or safe space, such as a covered crate with a familiar scent like a piece of your clothing, can provide comfort. Close doors, windows and curtains, create a calm environment with some music, and keep your routine as normal as possible.”
Bath Cats and Dogs Home, based in Claverton, cares for more than 700 rescue cats and dogs each year from Bath and North East Somerset, West Wiltshire and North Somerset.
For more advice about supporting pets during fireworks season, you can visit one of the websites: www.bcdh.org.uk/blog; www.bristolarc.org.uk; www.cdch.org.uk
Photo: Dog relaxing in a crate photo credit Tracy Ducasse on Flickr.