Ways to protect your pets from fright night
HALLOWEEN is the most spooktacular time of the year, but for animals the traditional end-ofOctober fright night can be petrifying.
Fireworks, loud noises, unusual knocking on doors all induce anxiety in pets leading animal lovers to reach for a myriad of calm-inducing lotions and potions.
But, many animal anxietyrelieving methods currently being touted as effective ways to calm dogs and cats could, quite literally, scare your beloved pets to death.
Here, leading vet Tim Kirby gives his expert opinion on some of the stress-reducing methods doing the rounds in the countdown to Halloween.
1. Desensitise ahead of fireworks season:
‘This allows a natural and progressive realisation by the individual dog that its fear and anxieties can be reduced. It takes time but it offers the best long term success outcomes.’
2. Pheromone diffusers:
‘These naturally occurring pheromones have a calming effect on a dog.
‘They can be used all year round to reduce any stress and anxieties. Similar products exist for cats.’
3. Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones:
Many dogs generally do not like humans irritating their ears, and most are very unlikely to allow accessories such as headphones to be placed on their ears for very long periods of time.’
4. Mufflers:
‘These mufflers are designed for humans but dogs’ hearing is up to 25 times more sensitive than ours, therefore applying human mufflers to a dog will have none, if any, effect at all. Also, how many dogs will not roll around and rip them off within two minutes of putting them on!’
5. Ask the vet for a calming injection:
‘In severe cases and for dogs that suffer repeated anxiety, licensed calming injections, tablets or gels are appropriate. A thorough clinical evaluation by a vet will be required before considering such products.’
6. Give your pet Calpol:
‘Calpol is manufactured and licensed pharmaceutical product for human use only.
‘It is also an anti-inflammatory. It has no efficacy claims in reducing anxiety. In no circumstances should it be used in dogs or cats.’
7. CBD Oil:
‘Despite huge and growing interest in the possibilities for CBD oil in pets, it is without any supportive or clinical data to support it.
‘Using such products without sound scientific data can, in fact, be detrimental to a pet’s health and they should never be used.’