Fireworks & Pets How You Can Help - Barrier Animal Care Clinic LLP

PETS, STRESS & FIREWORKS

www.petfireworkfear.co.uk

Firework stress affects almost 50% of dogs and many cats too. Fireworks are no longer a 5th November only event and are heard throughout the Autumn and often used for many other celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, New Year & Diwali.

Stress can manifest itself in many ways – many dogs will run around and vocalise, some even become destructive and may harm themselves. However, sometimes the signs of stress can be much more subtle. This is especially true for cats – they will often ‘withdraw’ and hide, meaning that their stress is not easily recognised.

If stress associated with fireworks is not dealt with, it often progresses to fear of other sounds like thunder and gunshots and eventually even every day noises such as car doors slamming. As a result we must address this problem promptly and effectively to improve the welfare of our pets.

Managing firework stress needs an approach to both the short and long-term issue. In the short term we must manage our pets on the night. Long term we need to change the feelings our pets associate with fireworks in order that they do not become stressed.

Short term management helps our pets cope during the firework season. Below are some useful tips to help your pet.

> Provide a den or hiding place – ideally where your pet would normally seek refuge
> Muffle the sound of the fireworks – radio, television, close the curtains
> Keep your pet inside – close the cat flap and ensure you dog is not able to access the garden
> Do not fuss them, or tell them off, if they are stressed
> Reward quiet, calm behaviour

The most important change that must be made is for you to change your behaviour. It is completely natural to want to reassure your pet when it is stressed – however all this does is reinforce the unwanted behaviour and unfortunately makes matters worse.

Sound desensitisation is proven to address the underlying problem by altering your pet’s reaction to the stress-inducing noises. It works by exposing your pet to the scary sounds under controlled conditions whilst it is doing something enjoyable such as chewing a favourite toy or treat. This then breaks the negative association that your pet has learned with respect to fireworks and makes the association more positive. The most common method uses CDs, which are played initially for a very short amount of time at low volume. The length of time and volume is gradually increased as your pet progresses through the programme.

Sound Desensitisation takes time – usually weeks to months and you must be guided by your pet as to how quickly you can progress through the program. It should not be performed when fireworks are likely to be heard. Therefore the best time to start is AFTER firework season – perhaps in the springtime.

For Cats
Feliway, Skullcap & Valerian, Zylkene

For Dogs
DAP, Skullcap & Valerian, Zylkene

Feliway

Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure.
By mimicking the cat’s natural facial pheromones, Feliway creates a state of familiarity and security in the cat's local environment.

As a result, Feliway can be used to help comfort and reassure cats, while they cope with a challenging situation and/or help prevent or reduce the stress caused to a cat during a change in their environment.

The development of Feliway created a new field in veterinary medicine: Pheromonatherapy.
Feliway is available in 2 forms: as a spray and an electric diffuser.

DAP

D.A.P contains an analogue of the natural canine appeasing pheromone.

D.A.P helps comfort puppies and adult dogs in situations they may find worrying or which make them apprehensive (visitors, strangers, vet visits, firework seasons, novel and unpredictable situations).
D.A.P helps establish the puppy in a new environment (re-homing, moving house, coping with strangers).

D.A.P is available in a spray, electric diffuser & now collar forms, ask for more information of which is best suited for your pet(s)
Combining the D.A.P collar with a D.A.P diffuser may provide optimal results for dogs showing indoor and outdoor fears.

Skullcap & Valerian

A licensed herbal medicine for the symptomatic relief of anxiety, nervousness, excitability and travel sickness and an adjunct in the treatment of epilepsy in dogs and cats.

The ultimate herbal combination in a sugarcoated tablet, invaluable to calm and relax dogs and cats suffering from excitability, apprehension, phobias or hyperactivity.

Widely used and particularly effective for those suffering from noise phobias as a result of fireworks, thunderstorms or gunfire.

Zylkene

Zylkène is a novel natural product derived from milk protein, which has relaxing properties and is proven to help manage stress in cats and dogs.

Zylkène comes in capsules and is given once a day, either in a treat or the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. The powder is palatable and so administration is usually straightforward.

There are no known side effects and it doesn’t cause problems such as sedation or memory loss.

Contact us today for more information, or to purchase any of the products above.