Pets need protection during Guy Fawkes
Guy Fawkes celebrations can be scary for some animals and its important to keep them safe.
More than 60 per cent of Kiwis own a cat or dog and New Zealand ranks the second highest in pet ownership per capita across the globe, beaten only by the United States.
However, for the majority of pets in New Zealand, as well as their owners, the Guy Fawkes celebrations can cause a severe amount of stress. Despite numerous organisations such as the New Zealand Veterinary Association and Wellington
SPCA calling for the stop of public fireworks sales, the contentious night will take place again this year.
Dr Warren Stroud of Animates Vetcare has provided some top tips to help reduce the stress that Guy Fawkes fireworks can have on your pet: ■ Walk your dog earlier in the evening to tire them out ■ Keep your pets inside with their bed, favourite toys and the curtains closed ■ Feed them before the fireworks start, a full stomach should help them relax and make them sleepy
■ If your pets want to hide, that’s fine. Creating a ‘den’ of favourite blankets and toys to provide a safe place
■ Turn on music or the TV to disguise the noise
■ Keep your feline friend inside by keeping their cat door locked ■ Ensure your pet is microchipped, has a collar and ID tag, in case they run from your property when they are scared
■ For small pets and birds, partially cover their cages or enclosures with a blanket. “The startling lights and sporadic bursts of sound that come with fireworks can be very frightening for any animal so it’s important to take some preventative measures,” explains Dr Stroud.
“For example it’s an animal’s natural instinct to hide, so getting them inside and creating a ‘den’ of favourite blankets, beds and toys will help them feel safe.” Cautious pet owners can also refer to range of products from Animates specifically designed to comfort pets during times of stress. Adaptil collars, sprays and diffusers release a synthetic version of a natural pheromone creating a calming and comforting effect on dogs and puppies in stressful situations such as storms and fireworks.
Feliway is the feline equivalent of Adaptil and is safe for both cats and kittens.
The Thundershirt is an ingeniously simple device, a tight-fitting shirt provides a gentle, constant pressure that has a calming effect for most pets if they are anxious, fearful or overexcited. Owners of pets with severe anxiety should make an appointment with a vet, who can prescribe anti-anxiety medication if needed.