Pet Panic Prevention: Fireworks Night

As the summer draws to a close and we start to feel autumn in the air, our minds will begin to conjure up thoughts of bonfires, toffee apples and fireworks. For us humans, Guy Fawkes night is one of the highlights of the year, but it can be a night of terror and anxiety for our furry friends. However, the team here, at The Pets Larder, have many years of pet knowledge under their belts and has a whole host of hints and tips that can keep your best friends calm and collected on this fiery night of celebration.

In today’s post, we will outline some of our best advice for keeping your pets in a state of relaxation despite the explosive events happening outside, alongside a few of our favourite tranquillity-inducing supplements and toys. 

Dogs, Cats and Fireworks 

It is fairly common knowledge that our pets are averse to the sounds, sights and smells of Guy Fawkes Night. The reason behind this is the unpredictability and noise that is given off by fireworks. Some dogs, such as hunting or gun dogs, will be desensitised to loud bangs and volatile noises, but, for most of our canine and feline companions, loud unpredictable noises, sights and smells can trigger their nervous system and their fight or flight responses. Dogs and cats rely on their heightened senses, and as such, fireworks, bonfires and human celebrations in general can cause anxious responses and erratic behaviours. 

Thankfully there are a few easy-to-follow tips and tricks that can keep fireworks night a relaxing evening for all of your family, whatever the number of legs!

Keeping your Dog or Cat Calm During Fireworks

The best way to keep your pets calm during this potentially terrifying night of the year is to keep them as far removed from the situation as possible. We recommend keeping your pets confined to one room that you can keep as a safe space for them, with doors shut, windows covered (ideally with noise-reducing curtains) and plenty of hiding places if any sudden noises should penetrate your fortress of calm. It can also be helpful to leave on a television or radio for your pets so they have other, non-threatening, sounds to be distracted by. 

Another effective method of distraction for our perfect pets on fireworks night is with a new toy. Puzzle toys for dogs, such as the KONG Squeezz Dental Stick are the perfect plaything for keeping your canine companion's mind diverted. Puzzle toys can be stuffed with treats to add to the engagement factor for your dog and give them a delicious reward for their interest in being elsewhere. 

Cats are a little harder to distract, due to their brilliantly catty attitudes, however, there is a good selection of cat toys, here at The Pets Larder, that have catnip contained within them, making for a delightful distraction for any anxious feline. The Kickeroo Cuddler from KONG combines the irresistibility of catnip alongside an array of textures and sounds that should keep any cat's thoughts away from the explosive night outside. 

Get Your Cat a KONG Kickeroo Cuddler Here Today>

Energy levels in your pets, dogs especially, can be controlled around the time of fireworks night to ensure they are ready for a rest on this evening of celebration. Taking walks and exercising your pets early on in the day is essential for keeping them cool calm and collected throughout the night.

Vital Valerian: The Tranquillity Inducing Supplement

If you are still worried about the reaction your pets are having to fireworks, there are a number of supplements that can be administered in the weeks preceding November the 5th to help allay their fears. Dorwest’s Scullcap and Valerian tablets are a way to naturally reduce the stress or anxiety in your pets using the best of mother nature to do so. 

These terrific tablets use a magical melange of herbs that help to naturally support the calming pathways in the nervous system. These include valerian, scullcap, mistletoe and gentian which have all been long used in the reduction of stress and anxiety in a range of mammals, including us humans! 

These tablets should be used every day for at least three weeks before anxiety or stress-inducing events for best results, so, now really is the time to be considering whether your pet needs a little extra help to get through this fireworks night.

Delve into Dorwest With Their Scullcap and Valerian Tablets Here> 

So, as the summer is drawing to a close, don't forget to prepare yourself and your pets for the explosive celebrations that Autumn brings to us every year. And don't forget you can find all of your anxiety-reducing supplies here, at The Pets Larder.