Ensure your animals are calm, safe

WITH the festive season around the corner, occasions such as Guy Fawkes, Diwali, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are often celebrated with firecrackers. It is no secret that fireworks can upset animals, Pedigree and Whiskas asks Allan Perrins, the spokesperson at the Animal Welfare Society of SA, for some tips and tricks to keep animals safe and calm.

■ If you know your pet will be very distressed, there are a number of off-the-shelf or prescribed calming remedies that one can give pets to help lessen the trauma – speak to your local vet.

■ Keep them in a familiar secure room: keep your pet in a safe and secured room for two reasons. First, doing so will keep them from running away. Second, try to select a room that will muffle the outside noise from outdoors and surround pets with familiar and comforting items. You can even turn on the TV or play music to help drown out the noise. Keep the curtains drawn to prevent animals from trying to escape through glass panes.

■ Distract them: have a selection of healthy treats that you can keep on hand to use as a distraction.

■ Encourage hydration: fear makes animals pant, and while they might want to hide and avoid the water bowl, ensure your frightened pet is staying hydrated and keep their food and water bowls nearby.

■ Don’t leave windows open: even with secure screens, a cat or small dog may be able to escape in a panic .Rather keep the windows closed and if it is hot, put a fan on.

■ Check name tags/discs and microchips: ensure your pets have latest tags with phone numbers.