Coping with firework top tips

The PDSA has joined forces with Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Sound Therapy 4 Pets and CEVA Animal Health to provide advice on how to look after pets during the firework season, and how to help them cope with their fear of loud noises.

Ten top tips from www.petfireworkfear.co.uk

1. If your cat hides on top of cupboards or under furniture, leave her alone and do not try to coax her out.  This ‘bolthole’ is where she will feel most secure. It is important that your pet can access her favourite bolthole at all times.
2. On the evenings you expect fireworks, ensure your cat is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.
3. Plugging a Feliway^® Diffuser in the room where the cat spends most of her time 48 hours before the festivities will increase her sense of security.
4. Make sure your cat is microchipped. If they do escape, frightened, confused animals can easily get lost.
5. Ensure your cat is provided with a litter tray both before and during the firework season.
6. Draw curtains to reduce the noise from outside and play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of fireworks.
7. Ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your cat. More importantly, do not try to pick her up or restrain her.  Fearful cats prefer to be left to cope on their own.
8. Try not to go out while the fireworks are going off. Stay calm and act normally.
9. In multi-cat households, shutting cats in overnight may cause disharmony amongst your pets. A Feliway^® Diffuser may help lower inter-cat tension.
10. If you are worried that your pet is taking a long time to recover from the firework festivities, speak to your vet. Your vet may also wish to refer you to a behavioural therapist.

A tip from Beaphar:

"In order for cats and dogs to be as relaxed as possible for the Firework season it would be advisable to fit a Beaphar Calming Collar. The collars are designed to keep cats and dogs feeling at ease during firework displays, together with reducing unwanted problem behaviour. Over a period of 30 days, the collar releases a substance called a 'pheromone' which helps calm cats and dogs in a natural way, resulting in calmer, happier, more sociable pets. Beaphar Serenity Tablets are another option which can aid in alleviating nervousness in cats and dogs associated with firework displays. For further information about the Beaphar Calming Collars or Beaphar Serenity Tablets please visit www.beaphar.co.uk or call the Customer Care Team on 01440 715700."