Fireworks Pet Fright Night

Most dogs are terrified of fireworks so Bonfire Night is a yearly ordeal for them.   Cats and ponies and wildlife all suffer too and we are a nation of animal lovers!!   Fireworks are pretty and don’t cause much of a problem, it’s the bangers and screechers and howlers that cause the trouble.   An alternative source of noise can help, keep the radio and television turned up loud, good soothing music is best.   Staying in and reassuring your pet is best, you might find the house trashed if you go out.   Lots of exercise during the day for your dog is good, if he’s tired he’s less likely to be on the alert.   A nice supper of comfort food (not biscuits or dry stuff) is easier to digest, try Chappie which is fish and cereal or why not give some meat, it’s natural after all.

Providing a den for your cat or dog to go in will be appreciated.   We don’t normally like using cages (would you like to be shut up in a metal box?   What does that tell a dog?)   but take the door off, put lots of old cushions and fleeces inside and drape a blanket over the top and this is as good a ‘cave’ as your dog can get.    Cats like to escape when they are frightened so keep doors closed and make sure that they can scoot upstairs and hide under the bed till it’s all over.

Giving sedatives from the vet is a last resort and the ‘chemical cosh’ is to be avoided unless you know that it is best for your pet.    A natural remedy such as Skullcap and Valerian tablets made  by Dorwest Herbs is excellent, these herbs really work, we’ve used for calming and giving confidence to pets for many years.    We have them in the shop (online and In the Dog House) and we can post out if you can’t get in to us.

If you are going to light a bonfire check it out carefully first.   Hedgehogs, foxes and even cats are fond of piles of wood for a refuge.   Make sure they know you are coming and can get away first.

Rockets cause a huge amount of damage if they are set off without thought for surrounding field animals.   I don’t know what the answer is except never to light them.   Horses and ponies and cattle are terrified by these sudden loud screeches and lights so point them away from fields, it’s dark and you don’t know where there are horses etc. sheltering under the hedgerows.   Some years ago a rocket hit one of our little ponies in the eye.  It was horrific, although he didn’t lose his eye it was badly scarred and he became partially sighted.   We had a huge vet bill too.   Guy Fawkes is long gone, isn’t it time for this expensive and wasteful event to be consigned to history too?