It may be hard to believe but it’s that time of year again, when we start thinking about how best to care for our pets as fireworks season gets under way.
We know this can be a very tough time of year for pets, who can become stressed and unsettled as fireworks are used ever more frequently – not only for the traditional November 5th bonfire night but also in celebration of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of top tips to ensure your pet stays safe during fireworks season:
- Always keep cats and dogs inside when fireworks are let off
- Some pets like to hide in the bathroom. Make sure toilet lids are down if you have a small dog or cat. Beware if you have the older style of toilet with the exposed U-bend as some dogs can wedge between the pipework and become stuck
- Close all windows and doors, draw curtains and seal up cat flaps
- Let your pet pace around, whine, mew and hide if they want to. Don’t try to coax them out – they are trying to find safety and should not be disturbed
- Hutches and cages should, if possible, be taken into a quiet room indoors or into a garage or shed. If this isn’t possible, turn them around to face a wall, creating a black-out from the flashes of fireworks
- Give your small pet extra bedding to burrow into so it feels safe
