Prepare your pet for the firework season

The weeks leading up to November 5^th and continuing through until the New Year can be a traumatic time for some pets.  The signs of ‘firework fear’ or the phobia of loud noises can range from mild behavioural changes to severe destructive or aggressive behaviour.

Firework fears and noise phobias are a common problem in pets, with at least 80% of pets being scared of fireworks.

Signs that your pet is fearful includes hiding away, seeking closer human contact, whining or barking, and destruction of the room left in during the panic of trying to escape.

An animal with noise phobia will start to panic at the slightest noise and the reaction is always a sudden, extreme and excessive response.  The fear of noises tends to get worse over time rather than better.  If you have a pet that is fearful of loud noises a de-sensitisation program has great benefits.  A de-sensitisation program involves playing a CD of noises daily to your dog, initially at low levels and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of the sound until your pet becomes comfortable with the noise.

There are also other medications that can help your pet deal with stressful situations including firework noise and these include Zylkene, Adaptil or Feliway.  These medications use pheromones which encourage a calming influence which helps the pet deal with a stressful situation and are very helpful during the firework season.

Pet Dispensary is an online company offering veterinary medications and has focused on behavioural products for the firework season.  As well as offering useful information and guidance sheets on the website they are also offering a free sound de-sensitisation CD with every box of Zylkene purchased.

Lynsey Bacon Manager comments, “With such a high number of pets showing some sign of fear during the firework season, it is beneficial for owners to know there are medications available to help their pet deal with these anxieties.  Last year Zylkene was our most popular product as this can be used short term and is palatable and easy to give.  The stress management medications don’t require a prescription and we are able to offer advice to pet owners to suggest what would be the best option for their pet.

Pet Dispensary recommends starting a ‘De-Sensitisation Program’ now in preparation for the 5^th November.  Pet Dispensary is offering a Free Sound De-Sensitisation CD with every full box of Zylkene purchased.  Starting the program now could mean a much easier Firework season for you and your pet, further details are on our website”

Three top tips for Firework season

1. Provide a den or hiding place where your pet can feel safe
2. Increase the feeling of security by using Zylkene each day over the festive period or by plugging in and Adaptil or Feliway Diffuser as close to the Den or hiding place as possible
3. Ignore fearful behaviour such as panting, shaking or whining.  Dogs may pick up on their owner’s anxiety which can make the problem worse.