Top Tips for Reducing Stress on Bonfire Night and during Fireworks
Posted 1st Nov 2020
We all love our pets and have a great fondness for wildlife. However, unfortunately those without animals sometimes don’t prioritise animal wellbeing over their fun and enjoyment. We can raise awareness about these issues and do our best to ensure these events take place far away from animals but our priority should be our own pets - knowing how we can make them more comfortable when we can’t stop the noise.
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Here are our top 5 tips for success in reducing anxiety on bonfire night:
Safe Space
You know your pet’s favourite place and where they’re most comfortable. This could be a puppy crate, a bed under a table, the end of a bed, the igloo next to the radiator - you know exactly where we’re talking about. Make sure this place is as normal and completely safe. This is where your pet is most likely to retreat to if they feel unsafe and therefore ensuring smells and objects are as normal will help relax them.
Secure Doors and ID Tags
You should make sure that your home’s windows and doors are secure. If your pet’s stress levels dramatically increase suddenly it might mean they will try to get out. They’re much safer in their home, where they know. It’s crucial that your pet’s ID tag and microchip are up to date just in case the worst does happen and they do get out.
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TV and the Sofa
If you are able to keep your pet with you whilst they’re nervous, don’t draw attention to anything, carry on as you normally would. The TV is great for masking noise and makes sure you’re not adding any energy to their insecurity, because you’re distracted too. If you do manage to keep everything calm in the room, you may decide to spend the rest of the night here to keep your pet feeling secure through the night.
Litter Trays
It’s unadvised to take your pet out during fireworks. No matter how many leads and harnesses you have, the risk isn’t worth it. For a few nights out of the year, if we have to use litter trays or puppy pads, it’s not going to be detrimental to any of us. Accidents happen, especially when animals are frightened, so we need to be prepared anyway!
Supplements
If we already know our pet gets nervous during this season, we can purchase natural supplements to help keep them a calmer. Natural supplements work by relaxing your pet without sedating them. The specifically chosen formulas are created to calm the nervous system without the introduction of drugs.
Some animal breeds are just more sensitive to loud stimulation, some have had experiences that still affect them and are triggered by loud noises. By setting yourself up for success and putting all these elements in place you’re more likely to have an easier evening. It’s not fair on any animal to be worried or scared because of something humanity is doing for their own enjoyment, but we can try to make it more comfortable for them.
We’re running 10% off our Anxiety and Behaviour supplements at the moment, just use the code RELAX10 at checkout when bought together!