Top tips to keep pets safe this Guy Fawkes

Kiwis own more pets per household than anywhere else in the world, apart from the US, with cats the most popular choice (44 per cent.)* The results, from a report released by The New Zealand Companion Animal Council in August this year, showed dogs were the second most popular choice at 28 per cent.*

So, for many families Guy Fawkes can be a stressful time especially when their beloved pets show signs of anxiety, stress and in some cases are paralysed with fear. More often than not, owners have little idea of how to comfort them.

Dr. Jonathan Robinson, a vet affiliated to Animates, has put together some top tips to help families care for their pets:
 

1. Take them for a long walk earlier in the evening to tire them out
2. Feed them before the fireworks start. A full stomach makes them sleepy and can help them relax
3. Keep your pets inside with their bed and favourite toys ready, and the curtains closed. It’s perfectly normal for your pet to want to hide, so ensure the bed is in an area that’s least exposed to noise and light
4. Turn on music or the TV to disguise external noise
5. For small pets or birds, partially cover their cages or enclosures with a blanket

 
Dr. Robinson commented, “The startling sights and sporadic bursts of sound that come with fireworks can be very frightening for any animal so it’s important to take some preventative measures.

“For example it’s an animal’s natural instinct to hide, so getting them inside and keeping them in is key.”
A range of products is available specifically designed to comfort pets during times of stress. Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) are pheromone products which help reduce stress, and BioPet Courage has been especially designed for pets troubled by loud noises. The ‘Thundershirt’ is an ingeniously simple device. A pressure shirt of sorts, it provides a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic, calming effect for most pets if they are anxious, fearful or overexcited. All products are available from Animates stores nationwide or online at www.animates.co.nz


 
For pets with severe anxiety please make an appointment with your Vet who can prescribe anti-anxiety medication if needed.

* The New Zealand Companion Animal Council's report Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016