West Mount Vets
Fireworks
If your pet has experienced fear during the November 5th or New Year's celebrations then you may be wondering what to do this year.
The time to act is now.
Many pets can be conditioned to tolerate the loud noises and flashes that are associated with fireworks. Even those who currently cannot cope can be helped to cope by providing them with a means of escaping from the noise, or making the home a more relaxing place for them.
Sedative drugs are often used to sedate or calm dogs during storms or fireworks, but these only have limited use as the pet may still be just as frightened but will be unable to do anything about their fear due to the sedation.
Dogs that become sensitive to the sound of fireworks often become fearful of related sounds such as the loud bang of a crow-scarer. These sorts of sounds may be much more common in certain parts of the country, and dogs will then need long term treatment that sedatives cannot offer.
Sedatives cannot be given for long periods and in any case they only work as a temporary solution.
It is much better to seek advice from your vet about methods for treating and reducing fear or phobia that the animal is suffering from.
Here are some tips that may help:
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Drugs may be useful in some cases, but should only be used under veterinary supervision. If using any such remedies, they should be given so they take effect before any noise starts or panic sets in.
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Dog
Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is available as a plug-in diffuser
(like an air-freshener). The pheromone exerts a calming influence
around the house and may help reduce the dog's anxiety.
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Don't punish your dog when he is scared, it only confirms that there was something to be afraid of.
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Don't fuss or reassure your dog when he is scared as this rewards the unwanted behaviour.
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Ignore any fearful behaviour that occurs for no good reason
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Feed
your dog a good meal rich in carbohydrate with added vitamin B6 mid-to-late
afternoon so he has a full stomach over the evening (don't try this
if your dog is prone to diarrhoea when it is scared or at other times).
If necessary don't feed him earlier in the day to ensure a good appetite. -
Make
sure the dog is kept in a safe environment at all times so that it
doesn't bolt and escape if a sudden noise occurs. -
Ensure your pet is identified with an address tag and microchip in case of an escape.
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Keep cats indoors on and before the big event, and block the cat-flap to prevent an escape.
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At
dusk try to move your dog to a room blacked out with dark curtains
with toys, etc. for him and preferably things for you to do as well
so he is not abandoned in the room. Blacking-out the room removes
the potential additional problems of flashing lights, etc. If your
dog shows preference to retreat to a particular part of the house
then this would be a good choice of room to black out. You can have
the lights on! -
Put
some music on, if your dog (and you) can tolerate it. Rap or something
else with lots of constant drum beats is the best. It doesn't have
to be obnoxiously loud as long as there is a constant distracting
beat to the music -
Ignore the noises yourself and try to engage in some form of active game. Try to appear happy and unconcerned
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If you know of a dog that is not scared by the noises and which gets on with your own dog then keeping the two together during the evenings may help. Playing with the non fearful dog if your own dog becomes scared may help to encourage the fearful dog that all is not so bad after all.
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Earplugs can be made, by taking a piece of cotton wool, dampening it and squeezing out any excess water. It is then rolled into a cylinder and twisted into the dog's ear so as to pack the canal. Care must be taken that the cylinder is not too thin that it goes too deep into the ear canal or so fat that it can't be secured. The plug should be secure and firm but not so tight that it irritates your dog. Remember to remove it later and don't re-use earplugs from one day to the next. Please ask one of our vets before you insert anything into your dog's ears.
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Don't just ignore the problem because it only happens once or twice a year. Instigate a desensitisation programme once the season is over and you have control over the envioronment again.
What's desensitisation?
CDs are available that have recordings of firework noises and other loud noises (e.g. thunder) that your pet may be scared of.
The idea of these CDs is to play them in the background (initially at a very low volume) during times when your pet is playing or feeding. As your pet becomes used to these noises (over a period of weeks) you can gradually increase the volume.
Eventually your pet should be happy to be listening to the CD at high volume and so when real fireworks or thunder are heard then there is nothing to worry about. This is a long term treatment plan and works well in association with other advice from pet behaviouralists.
