Thundershirts are go... the jacket that’s meant to calm Bonfire Night pets

ANIMAL lovers say pets terrified by Bonfire Night fireworks could be calmed lightning fast – with ‘thundershirts’.

Costing from £18 online, they wrap round cats and dogs’ torsos and are secured by Velcro.

Makers say they ‘apply a gentle, constant pressure like a hug to encourage relaxation’.

Also popular are plug-in pheromone diffusers that release chemicals to replicate those produced by a mother to calm down your pet. If that doesn’t work, owners should try playing classical music, with Beethoven a fourlegged favourite.

Pete Wedderburn, a smallanimal vet, said: ‘Dogs and cats have super-sensitive hearing and to make things worse, they can’t understand what’s going on. To help spooked pets, create a cosy, soundproofed den by closing curtains and playing classical music such as Beethoven to drown out other sounds.

‘Studies have shown that dogs like classical music and reggae, but they are not keen on rap or heavy metal.’

Pets at Home has created a calming playlist on the music streaming website Spotify. Dr Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets at Pets at Home, said: ‘It’s also important for owners to remain calm as pets sense any changes in our behaviour, which can make them more anxious.’

• PENZANCE Rotary in Cornwall has axed its fireworks display in the town after 48 years in favour of a laser light show to spare pets from being scared. It said: ‘We love fireworks but we love animals more.’