Darlington vet advice for pets with firework anxiety
It's going to be a frightening and distressing time for millions of animals as Bonfire Night approaches
Pet owners across the Tees Valley are being urged to take extra care of them this week due to firework anxiety.
It's going to be a frightening and distressing time for millions of animals as Bonfire Night approaches.
Dr Steffani Gardner, a veterinary surgeon at Medivet & Partners in Darlington, said try and walk dogs when it's still light and keep them on a lead: "Fireworks are so difficult. They're so loud, and they go on for such a long time nowadays. It lasts for like a week.
"If your pet is really worried by it, just alter your walking time so you're not outside when it's dark. A lot of the time, pets can hear that first firework in the dark, and then they just won't go back out again until it's light, which is very difficult when it gets dark at 4 o'clock.
"Put a little safe den space in your house as well. It's a nice little covered area where they can feel cosy and comfortable. They can feel a bit more protected. Obviously, in the wild, they would look for areas of cover if they're scared, so that always helps.
"Close all your windows and blinds to prevent too much noise coming in. Turning up your radio or putting loud music on the TV also helps with the bangs. Give them a nice toy to redirect them onto things that are nice for them, and give them nice, healthy treats to help with that as well.
"Sometimes you can get cosy wraps for them. You can also put a big t-shirt on them, nice and tight, so it helps them feel like they're having a cuddle the whole time. And obviously, if they're really, really distressed, please speak to your vet for other options that we might be able to help with as well.
"My dog, for instance, used to be absolutely fine with fireworks. But as she's got older, and I think her hearing's changed a bit, if a firework goes off and it's dark outside, she's not going out there. She gets really, really stressed by them nowadays, so it probably is due to getting older: their hearing sensitivity is changing, and the fireworks are getting louder and longer."