Keeping your pets happy this bonfire night

Our Pet Manager Liz has got lots of top tips on keeping your pets happy this bonfire night.

Firstly and most importantly, keep your pet indoors. A frightened animal will often try to run away from the bangs and flashes and this can result in them becoming lost or involved in a road accident.

Where possible, put the television or radio on to try and mute the sounds from outside. Close your curtains so bright flashes aren’t so obvious.

If at all possible try to ignore your pet and any unusual behavior. Be sympathetic but also be firm, not angry.

Make sure you remain calm and don’t panic. Animals can pick up on agitation in humans and this will make them feel even more anxious. By staying in control, you are communicating to your pet that you are the pack leader and everything is safe. This is especially relevant to dogs.

There are some remedies available from vets and pet stores that may help. Most have to be administered before the fireworks start but it is not always possible to medicate them in advance. The best remedy is to try to get your pets to face their fears and overcome them naturally.

People tend to associate firework phobias with just dogs and cats, but this isn’t so. Any animal can be afraid of sudden noises, flashing lights and loud bangs so think about your rabbits, guinea pigs and aviary birds too.