You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again: firework festivities are no fun for pets. Especially with firework season kickstarting, here are the best ways we can protect our pets from what for them can be a shattering experience:
South Africa (31 October 2024) — Anyone who has ever felt overstimulated by a loud car engine, screeching breaks, or even TV audios that haven’t been correctly mixed knows all too well what it is to feel sudden anxiety from a sound that isn’t controlled. Now imagine being a pet, having that overstimulation cranked up to the max, and having no voice to say anything about it! Yes, firework festivities are no fun for animals, and with firework season kickstarting, we’re reminded that we owe it to our pets to be extra considerate in the places that other humans aren’t.
With Diwali happening today, Guy Fawkes Day occurring on 5 November and the festive season rapidly approaching, firework festivities are set to be in full swing. Here’s what you need to know!
Sound, Sight and Smell Stressors
“When fireworks explode, many animals panic, attempting to escape from the terrifying lights and noises, sometimes taking days to recover,” shares FOUR PAWS Director, Fiona Miles.
Essentially, pets have heightened senses already. Dogs, for example, have hearing abilities up to four times more sensitive than humans, while cats are even more noise-sensitive. Then there’s the matter of unpredictable flashes of light which also create confusion. In terms of smell, the acrid scents that accompany fireworks aren’t great for the mood of an animal already in a deep state of panic.
For an animal who can never understand the context of fireworks, the stimuli is naturally interpreted as danger that prompts them to seek safety. This can lead to animals running away, becoming traumatised or even aggravated.
In the short-term, our pets can become on-edge long after the fireworks. In the long term, they can even develop noise phobias!
How to Best Protect Our Pets During Firework Festivities
Short-Term Prep
- Be with your pet
Making sure you’re with your pet can offer some sense of comfort to them. Remember to be extra caring and loving!
- Combat the sound
You can play calming music, shut all windows and make sure the curtains are closed to dull the sound and sights of fireworks.
- Extra spoils
Even something as simple as feeding them a hearty meal can help in times of distress. If you know your pet has a particular favourite food, now is the time to whip it out.
- Cover cages with blankets
Especially for birds or smaller animals like mice and hamsters, covering their cage can be a great help. If yours is a pet who loves a good burrow, provide extra bedding or straw to make their own safe space.
Long-Term Prep
- Socialise your pet
In the long-term, experts advice that a well-socialised pet will be better equipped to handle unfamiliar situations. This is a key effort to make at 3-12 weeks for dogs and 2-7 weeks for cats.
- Microchip
Microchipping your pet might not help with the fireworks directly, but it can help you should your pet catch a fright and runaway in panic! Similarly, make sure that they have identification sorted out with a collar boasting their name, your number and address.
- Create a safety fort
Give your pet their own little fort or space filled with blankets, treats and even new toys.
- Get a pressure wrap / weighted blanket or make one yourself!
You’ll need:
- Fabric of your choice
- The weight ‘stuffing’ (pebbles, sand, glass pellets or larger beads)
- Sewing skills
The idea is to sew the weighted stuffing into a blanket that’s the perfect size to wrap around your animal.
You can also cut up an old blanket and use that material to upcycle.
You will then:
- Sew your two dominant pieces together leaving one section open to pour in the weight of your choice.
- You can secure the weight by horizontal stitching, quilt-style, and marking different square areas with pins.
- Make sure that you don’t forget to use the pins to help create a separation from the weighted materials so that you don’t sew over them!
- Top stitch the open area, make sure the weight is distributed and bob’s your uncle!
You can find a detailed guide on how to make a weighted blanket, here.
Sources: GTG; FOUR PAWS
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