Prepare pets for Bonfire Night

Animal welfare experts are to hold a special event to help pets cope with firework season.

Dogs Trust West Calder will be holding a free ‘Fear of Fireworks’ event on Sunday (October 22) in a bid to help local dog owners prepare their pooches ahead of firework season.

The event will take place at the Rehoming Centre in Bentyhead between 2pm and 3pm and will be presented by Lisanna Lamb, Dogs Trust West Calder’s assistant training and behaviour advisor.

Dogs Trust has developed some helpful tips for dog owners, which include building a‘doggy den’ in their homes in a bid to make dogs feel safe and secure during an often terrifying time for their four legged friends. The charity has also released an infographic of top tips to help prepare your pooch for fireworks season.

Experts from the dog welfare charity recognise that firework season, which includes bonfire night, Halloween and even New Year’s Eve is often a very stressful time for both dog and owner due to the unusual sights, smells and exceptionally loud noises, which often surprise dogs during the evening hours when they are settling down to sleep.

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre manager for West Calder, Susan Tonner, said: “Many of us enjoy the experience of fireworks but for our dogs it’s often a terrifying experience. Dogs have approximately four times more sensitive hearing than us, and also have a more extensive range of hearing – they can hear much higher frequency sounds than we can - so just imagine how loud a firework bang is for a dog. The smells and flashing light of fireworks are also unusual for dogs. Fireworks tend to be sudden, unpredictable and bright, this cocktail of effects can often have a profoundly negative impact on dogs. One tip we have for concerned dog owners is to create a doggy den, a haven where dogs can feel safe and secure. The doggy den should be built away from the hubbub of the family home, somewhere quiet where the dog can rest peacefully. This will very much be a safe space for the dog, but they should be able to move in and out of the den freely, making it as cosy and snug as possible is a must but Fido should be able to see out of the den should he want to. Concerned owners should seek veterinary advice before fireworks night if their dogs are very scared or panic due to fireworks.”

If you would like more information around Dogs Trust West Calder’s ‘Fear of Fireworks’ event, telephone the team on 0300 303 0292.