Keep your pet’s safe and calm this firework season.

In the United Kingdom, 40% of pets suffer from a serious phobia of fireworks, which can cause more harm to your animals than you might believe. In dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and birds, fireworks can cause significant anxiety and distress. Aggression, urinating in the house, drooling, pacing, destructive behaviour, trembling, and shaking are all indicators of anxiety in dogs and cats. Please read the following information to help your pets manage their stress.

Tips for keeping all of your pets safe:

• Soundproofing your home, which means closing all windows and curtains to block out the sounds of the fireworks.
• To drown out the sound of fireworks, listen to music or turn on the television.
• Provide dark hiding areas for your pets so they may be alone if they wish while remaining safe from flashing lights and sounds.
• Check up on them regularly.
• Distract your pets by providing them with their favourite treats and toys, however, don’t force them to play if they don’t want too and don’t be too over-affectionate as it can cause them to notice your behaviour change and think something is wrong.
• Brings all animals inside to a safe, secure place.
• Try calming products such as sprays, diffusers, collars, etc. (More detail on these products below)

Extra tips for Dogs and Cats:

• Allow your outdoor cats to go out throughout the day to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off and make sure all animals are back inside just before it gets dark.
• If your pet is worried, don’t confine them to one room because they will become more stressed from trying to get out. They are more likely to want to be cuddled up with you.
• Make sure your pets are microchipped, as they are more inclined to flee during the fireworks season to avoid the bangs and bright lights.
• Just in case, secure any escape routes in your garden, and make sure everyone in the house understands the importance of opening and closing external doors quickly.
• Try giving your pets long-lasting treats to keep them busy, such as stuffing a puzzle toy such as a Kong with layers of food to keep your dog interested or our Trixie puzzle toys for both cats and dogs, and catnip is great for relaxing nervous cats.
• Wire homes can be maintained in a quiet, open room with a blanket on top to help your dog feel more secure, but keep it open so they don’t become more worried.
• If nothing else seems to help, a veterinarian may be able to prescribe medication to assist your pet cope with his or her anxiety; however, any medication should always be accompanied by a behaviour management plan.

Extra tips for Small Animals, Reptiles, and Birds:

• Give your pet some extra bedding so they can burrow down in it and get cozy. To provide them with another place to hide, you may want to put a cardboard box filled with hay in their hutch with holes cut in it for easy entry and exit.
• Bring your pet’s hutch or cage indoors. A peaceful space is ideal, but if you can’t bring them into your house, an unused garage or shed is a good alternative.
• If you can’t bring your pets inside, turn their enclosure around so it faces a wall or fence instead of the open garden. This will help to stifle the sound and prevent them from seeing the flashes of light. Cover their hutch with thick blankets or a duvet to block out the sound of the bangs and the sight of the fireworks, but make sure your pet still has enough ventilation.
• Rabbits are social animals so keep them with the companion they’re familiar with to limit the stress of firework phobia.
• It is not necessary to cover your pet’s cage when they are inside unless it is part of their normal routine.
• When it comes to aviary birds, you want to encourage them to move towards the “housing” section of the aviary. You should also keep an eye on the aviary to make sure no rockets land on it and that it is not damaged. The sound of the fireworks can be muffled by partially covering the aviary with a heavy blanket or duvet. You should, however, make sure there’s enough ventilation.

Extra tips for Horses, Ponies, and Donkeys:

• If at all possible, inquire with your neighbours to see if they intend to let off fireworks. If they do, explain the dangers and request that they put off fireworks at a safe distance from your animals. You can plan ahead of time if you know when fireworks will be set off.
• To make your horse feel safe, keep him in his usual surroundings, following his normal routine, and with any companions. Keep it stable if it’s usually stable. Keep it out in the field if it’s regularly outside, as long as it’s safe, secure, and not close to the fireworks display area.
• Outside or inside the stable, music on a radio can often hide sudden noise, distract attention, and be comforting.
• If you know fireworks will be set off, make sure you or someone skilled stays with your horse.
• Even if your horse is in the field, provide lots of hay and favourite treats like salt licks to keep him occupied.

 

Products to help keep your pets safe this firework season

 

Pheromone Diffusers:

Pheromone diffusers are a synthetic form of the natural appeasing pheromone produced by an animal mother to calm and reassure her babies. It has been scientifically demonstrated to help both young and adult pets manage stressful situations such as fireworks and loud noises. It also helps with your pet’s routines, such as keeping them indoors during fireworks season, which can lead to undesirable behaviours such as scratching and urine production, and pheromone diffusers can help them adjust to their surroundings.

Plug pheromone diffusers into the room where your pet spends the most time and wait for them to work their quick magic. They can last up to 4 weeks and cover 50-70 meters. You can use up to 5 refills before replacing the diffuser unit. The diffuser is neither a sedative nor a drug, and it can be used in conjunction with any prescription. More than 13 clinical studies have been published in reputable scientific journals or at international conferences, demonstrating the effectiveness.

 
 
 

Calming Sprays:

Calming Sprays such as Pet Remedy works in tandem with the brain’s natural messengers, known as neurotransmitters, which inform the nerve receiving the message whether to calm down or become more active. The nerves get highly stimulated during times of stress or worry, resulting in the many varied indicators of stress that we witness in our pets. The Pet Remedy essential oil mix works with these natural relaxation pathways to help soothe the nerves of stressed or anxious pets.

Spritz calming spray on pet bedding or spray a small amount on your fingers and rub underneath the pet’s muzzle, chin, and chest. It can also be sprayed in the air, as long as it does not come into contact with the pet’s eyes, mouth, or nose. You only need a few sprays, and the effect will last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the pet.

The solution is water-based and ph neutral so it is safe for the pet’s skin and coat, and it works immediately. We provide sprays for dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, birds, and horses, such as the Pet Remedy Calming Spray, which contains Valerian essential oil combined with Vetiver, Sweet Basil, and Sage to relax your pet without sedation. We sell various different brands of calming sprays such as Beaphar, Pet Remedy, Hownd, and many more!

 
 
 

Calming Treats:

Calming treats contain natural components like chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, hemp, valerian root, and other soothing ingredients that can help your pet relax without causing drowsiness, especially when caused by environmental disturbances like fireworks. Most soothing treats contain tryptophan, an amino acid that increases serotonin production, which helps to control your pet’s appetite, sleep, mood, and pain, causing their mood to improve and their anxiety and stress levels to decrease. Tryptophan can also be used by the liver to make niacin, a form of Vitamin B3 that is required for energy, making your pet feel happier and more relaxed.

It is advisable to give your pet a treat around an hour before the stressful circumstance happens, therefore in the case of fireworks, your pet should get a treat about an hour before it gets dark outside. Because calming treats are made entirely of natural ingredients, they will not harm your pet if consumed in excess, but I recommend sticking to the recommended amount because elevated serotonin levels will make your pet tired. Depending on your dog’s weight and which calming treat you choose, the recommended dosage ranges from one to three treats per day. On the back of each treat bag, there will be a recommended guide.

We sell calming treats for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, and horses. Pooch Mutt, VetIQ, Beaphar, True Hemp, Lily’s Kitchen, and many other popular brands of relaxing treats are in stock here at Peejay Pets!

 
 
 

Calming Tablets:

Calming Tablets can help calm your pet down during stressful situations like thunderstorms, fireworks parties, and other loud events without causing drowsiness. We sell many different calming tablets such as Dorwest Scullcap and Valerian Tablet; These tablets include active herbs that help the nervous system’s natural soothing pathways, lowering anxiety without immobilizing muscles or making your pet drowsy. Each ingredient in the tablet has a specific role; for example, the valerian helps to support the natural relaxant pathways within the nervous system, without affecting muscles. Scullcap contains a number of valuable compounds including those which bind to the GABA receptor and reduce anxiety. Mistletoe helps to support the natural calming pathways within the nervous system and helps circulation. The gentian supports the other natural active compounds and helps maintain normal liver function.

Each different tablet will have a different recommended dosage on the packaging as the dosage depends on the size of the animal and the ingredients it contains. We sell different brands of calming tablets such as Dorwest, Beaphar, VetIQ, and many more for animals including dogs, cats, and rabbits.

 
 
 

Calming Collars and Vests

Calming collars are a lightweight, plastic collar that are infused with calming ingredients which are released slowly over a period of time. Some calming collars release synthetic pheromones. Some mimic the calming pheromones produced by a mother in order to soothe your pet and some mimic the pheromone which animals release when they mark an area as safe. Using a calming collar provides a constant calming aroma wherever your pet may go.

Calming vests will distribute pressure over the back and sides of your dogs chest which acts as a constant calming hug. Research shows that the gentle pressure provided by the vests release endorphins that promote a sense of well-being!

 
 
 

Calming Homeopathic:

Loud noises, such as fireworks, can be relieved using homeopathic medicine. This non-sedating, fast-acting liquid or tablet can help with restless, nervous, and unpleasant behavior which can be triggered by fireworks and other loud noises. Homeopathic Remedy contains a precise blend of natural organic ingredients and treats the various forms of anxiety in a safe way and completely free from side effects.

We sell Homeopathic medicine for dogs, cats, birds, and small animals from different brands such as Homeopet, Dorwest, and many other brands. The recommended dosage is on the packaging for each animal as it depends on their weight.

 
 
 

Please feel free to visit the store and inquire about which product would be best for your pet, as well as any other questions you may have. Alternatively, you can call our Hull office on 01482 585315.