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With the festive season around the corner, occasions such as Guy Fawkes, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are often celebrated with fireworks. It is no secret that fireworks can upset animals, so Allan Perrins, spokesperson at the Animal Welfare Society of SA, has provided some tips and tricks to keep animals safe and calm.
1. SPEAK TO YOUR VET
If you know your pet will still be very distressed, there are a number of off-the-shelf or prescribed calming remedies that one can gave give them to help lessen the trauma — just speak to your local vet.
2. KEEP THEM IN A FAMILIAR, SECURE ROOM
Keep your pet in a safe and secure room for two reasons. Firstly, doing so will keep them from running away. Secondly, try select a room that will muffle the outside noise and surround pets with familiar and comforting items. You can even turn on the television or play music to help drown out the noise. Keep the curtains drawn to prevent animals from trying to escape through glass panes.
3. DISTRACT THEM
Have a selection of healthy treats that you can keep on hand to use as a distraction while the fireworks display is going on.
4. ENCOURAGE HYDRATION
Fear makes animals pant, and while they might want to hide and avoid the water bowl, make sure your frightened pet is staying hydrated and keep their food and water bowls nearby.
5. DON’T LEAVE WINDOWS OPEN
Even with secure screens, a cat or small dog may be able to escape in a panic. Animals have very sensitive hearing and noses and the burning scent of fireworks can be distressing, so rather keep the windows closed, and if it is hot, put a fan on in the room.
6. CHECK NAME TAGS/DISCS AND MICROCHIPS
Make sure your pets have nametags with phone numbers and home addresses that are up to date, so that if they do happen to run away, someone can get them back to you. If your pets are micro-chipped, make sure that the information associated with the microchip is current. — Supplied.
