Many dogs find this time of year particularly stressful with loud noise from fireworks.
Here are some tips to help you look after your dog on fireworks nights.
- Try not to comfort him too much as this will encourage his fears. Ignore him as much as possible when he seems scared so that he will learn to cope on his own. Once he is more relaxed give him some love and attention so that he knows he's acting in the right way.
- Provide your dog with a safe hiding place (a cardboard box would do) in his favourite room of the house, close the curtains and turn up the volume of your television or radio to drown out any firework noises.
- Do not shut any internal doors as he may feel trapped and panic.
- Don't leave your dog alone in the house as he may panic and injure himself.
- A stodgy high-carb meal (e.g. well-cooked rice or mashed potato) in the late afternoon will help make your dog feel more sleepy and calm during the evening.
- Make sure he goes out to the toilet before it gets dark and the fireworks start.
- Try to keep your dog busy with games to keep his mind off the noises.
- Excercise your dog during the day - never walk your dog while fireworks are being let off.
- Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag or is identichipped in case he bolts and becomes lost.
- Ask your vet about DAP - Dog Appeasing Pheromone. This is a simple plug in diffuser which releases a calming chemical that can comfort your dog and help him cope with his fears.
- For dogs with very severe fears your vet may be able to prescribe sedatives.
