Pets Fireworks Code

Free your pets from firework fears with our advice.

In order to help assistance dog owners, ADUK member charities issue advice on how to minimise stress caused by fireworks or other loud noises, and would like to share some of these tips with pet owners.

Hopefully, the advice offered will help reduce the numbers of pets severely traumatised by fireworks each year. That, coupled with the sensible and restricted use of fireworks, should mean the impact of Bonfire Night on assistance dogs, and their owners, and domestic pets alike will be much less, and everyone can enjoy the celebrations.

The Blue Cross, Britain's pet charity, is also coming to the aid of animal owners to offer some essential advice on how to keep pets calm over the coming noisy nights. Keep all animals indoors when fireworks are expected, bring rabbits or small animal hutches inside, or make sure the hutch is turned to face the wall instead of an open garden, and ensure your pets are wearing ID tags and are microchipped in case they do get scared and run away.

Many pet owners may not be aware that their animals can become so distressed that they can develop phobias, which may lead to severe behavioural problems, warns the charity. Never shout at your pet if he is frightened, this will only make him more stressed, praise pets when they are calm, and avoid picking pets up or over-comforting them if they seem anxious.

"The flashes and bangs of fireworks create a massive change to the usual environment of a pet, which is deeply unsettling and scary for them," explains Julie Bedford, Blue Cross animal behaviourist. "They will try and run away from the noise or find somewhere to hide and feel secure. When pets are anxious or distressed it is instinctive for their owners to cuddle and comfort them, but this can stress the animal even more because they will think that their owners are worried too! The best thing owners can do is to let their pet settle in a chosen den and remain as normal as possible."

The charity produces a Fireworks & Pets advice leaflet which is available to download free from www.bluecross.org.uk. It can also be picked up in firework packs, many national supermarkets or from any Blue Cross animal adoption centre or hospital.

You can listen to more of Julie Bedford's advice and find out how other pet owners keep their pets calm this firework season on a special petcast available from The Blue Cross website from 1st November 2007 at: www.bluecross.org.uk/petcasts

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