It's that time of year again when
we look forward to frosty nights and fantastic firework displays over
the Guy Fawkes, Christmas and New Year period. But for some pet owners
and their pets it is a time fraught with anxiety and fear.
Some dogs are scared of noises.
Whatever the reason for this, the fear is real and should be taken
seriously. The dog may react in many different ways depending on the
individual but one thing is for sure - the fear will become worse and
worse every year and so early intervention is imperative. Here are some
tips to help you help your dog through this traumatic time plus some
behavioural advice to help desensitise your dog to scary sounds.
Tips to help your dog survive fireworks night
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Provide a safe haven. Make a 'den' for your dog to hide in to make him feel safe. He may even have his own safe place to go like under a bed or behind a couch. Let him be - this is his coping strategy.
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Do not reassure him with lots of cuddles and attention. This is the hardest one for us humans - unfortunately, if we do this we only reinforce the feeling that there is something to be scared of as we are 'rewarding' the dog for his behaviour. Remain calm and oblivious to the sounds - your dog will gain confidence from your behaviour.
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Use a D.A.P plug in pheromone diffuser. This can have a remarkable calming effect on dogs and makes them feel more secure in their environment. Must be plugged in weeks before the anticipated event though.
Behavioural advice
The most successful way to solve
a sound phobia is by desensitising (make the sound less scary) and
counter-conditioning (associating the sound with something pleasant).
This should be done well before bonfire night. A CD called "Sounds
Scary" (available through the surgery for £26.65 incl vat), which when
used correctly, is very successful in helping to solve the problem.
The CD (which has recordings of fireworks on) is initially played at
such a low volume as to be inaudible. The dog is brought into the room
and is given treats or played with. Over a few sessions the volume is
turned up gradually until the dog actually anticipates a game or
something 'good' when he hears the sounds. This process should take at
least 2 weeks - if you rush you may make the problem worse.
Jocelyn Lander RVN DipCABT
(Qualified veterinary nurse and animal behaviourist)
DAP dog pheromone vapouriser
In
mammals, all nursing females release substances called appeasing
pheromones,to reassure their offspring. Canine appeasing pheromones are
secreted by the bitch 3 to 5 days after birth. This substance enhances
the attachment between puppy and its mother, and provides reassurance
and comfort. Research has shown that the reassuring properties of
canine appeasing pheromone still exist even in adulthood. They affect
both emotions and social interaction throughout the dog's life. DAP vapourisers release appeasing
pheronone into your home constantly, helping to calm your dog. This can
be used to good effect to reduce the anxiety-provoking effects of
fireworks. The vapouriser should be plugged in at least 2 weeks before
the stressful event.
Ways to help your cat:
Ways to help your cat:
Feliway cat pheromone vapouriser
When
a cat feels safe in its environment, it rubs its head against items
such as furniture, the corners of walls, the bottom of curtains, and
yourself, leaving behind chemicals called facial pheromones. These
pheromones convey a message of well-being and calmness. Cats display distress in much more subtle ways, best known as "quiet stress".This state can be conveyed by changes in behaviour such as urine marking, vertical scratching, loss of appetite or refusal to play and to interact.
In these situations, a Feliway diffuser can be used to restore the natural balance, mimicking the cat's own pheromones, helping to create a state of calm and well-being.
As with dogs, the active ingredient is released through a device, with each bottle of pheromone lasting one month.
Ways to help smaller mammals:
These smaller
animals are easily frightened by the bangs and flashes in the night
sky, especially if they are kept in an outdoor hutch where they will be
exposed to far more noise than a cat or dog that is indoors. As prey animals, rabbits and guinea pigs respond to stress
quite differently from the other pet species. They will tend to hide
and become very quiet and still during the stressful time, - so that
they may appear 'frozen' to the spot - but they can also show longer
term effects of stress such as withdrawn behaviour, aggression, poor
appetite and inactivity. Owners of small animals should follow these precautions during the firework season:
Hutches and pens should be brought indoors, to a cool quiet room or into a shed or garage.
Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so that he feels safe
If you cannot bring your pet's hutch inside, turn it so that it faces a wall or fence, and cover it with and old blanket or duvet.
Surround the hutch with bales of hay or cardboard boxes to muffle the noise made by fireworks being let off nearby
Hutches and pens should be brought indoors, to a cool quiet room or into a shed or garage.
Give your pet extra bedding to burrow into so that he feels safe
If you cannot bring your pet's hutch inside, turn it so that it faces a wall or fence, and cover it with and old blanket or duvet.
Surround the hutch with bales of hay or cardboard boxes to muffle the noise made by fireworks being let off nearby
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