02/11/2024
🎆🎇With fireworks likely planned for the next week or so at least,lets think about the things you can do to support your pups and dogs!
🐾 Make sure your dog has been walked and toileted before it gets dark and minimise trips to the garden. You don't want your dog getting spooked going out for a wee!
🐾 PLEASE ENSURE YOUR FENCING AND GATES ARE SECURE. SO many dogs bolt during fireworks period, from their gardens. Make sure the gates are locked and/or take your dog out on a lead.
🐾 Prepare! Lots of chewing material, kong stuffings, wet food, lickimats/kongs/toppls etc so you can keep your dog's entertained and distracted. Not all dogs can eat when fireworks are going off, but if they can this can minimise disturbances as best as possible. Monty went to for his chews today! We've got ears, moon bones and pizzles- all longer lasting chewing material!
🐾 Ensure your dog has access to you for social support. Don't leave them at home during fireworks period as best as possible. Dogs will cope better with scary things with the support of mum/dad than by themselves.
🐾 If your dog prefers to hide, ensure they have access to a cosy den, water, chews available within in, somewhere quiet and where they're likely to use it. This could be a covered crate (think about how you can sound proof this further- big thick duvet over it etc). If they don't use the planned area, allow them to hide wherever they 'need to', removing them from this area will likely make things worse for them.
🐾 Dampen the sound of fireworks as best as possible- play loud continuous music (the TV may be too quiet and not continuous noise so a firework noise could break through more easily!).
🐾 Close the curtains/blinds so the visual of the fireworks don't worry them and get cosy!
🐾 If your dog wants to be close to you, ensure you allow this and offer calm but 'normal' reassurance. Our aim is to reassure without giving the impression we are also worried.
🐾 Adaptil may well take the edge off and communicate "safety" through synthetic pheremones: https://www.adaptil.co.uk/pages/adaptil-calm
🐾If your dog is very stressed by fireworks then contact your vet ASAP and see if they can offer anything to support your dog. There are plenty of anxiety medications that are short lasting and can really help dogs who find things stressful.
If they find fireworks difficult this year, start thinking how you can help your dog for next year- there are lots of ways of doing this behaviourally, get in touch if you need any support.
🐱🐭🐹🐰🐔Please remember your cats and small furries! Make sure your cats are indoors and safe, and that your small furries are ideally brought in overnight and provided with plenty of hideyholes to take cover in. Otherwise make sure external cages are secured, covered, and lots of extra bedding.
