Dogs and Halloween: Sound Advice for Keeping your Pets Safe and Calm during Fireworks

by Pilar Bueno

It is nearly that time of the year when the night skies filled with colourful displays, loud bangs and explosions as we get ready to celebrate events such as Diwali, Halloween, Bonfire Night, and of course Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

We have been enjoying fireworks for centuries. Originally believed to have been invented by the Chinese in the 11th century, the then small firecrackers ("fire pills", as they were referred to) were apparently used to scare off evil spirits. Nowadays, the popularity and affordability of fireworks have increased so exponentially that they have become a sign to mark special events all around the world.

As much as we humans may enjoy and delight with the beautiful light displays that pepper our skies, there is no doubt that our faithful pets and wildlife have a different opinion of this cacophony of sound and flashing lights.

Animals simply don't share our fondness for these explosives and react in the only way they know when confronted with a perceived harmful attack or threat to their survival: fight-or-flight. The stress generated as a result of this event can cause not just psychological but physical damage to domesticated animals and wildlife as they try to flee from danger. 

Thousand of panicked birds roosting in large communal flocks during the winter months take to the skies at night crashing into trees, power lines, houses and each other. And the lucky ones that manage to survive the stampede, may end up being poisoned by the pyrotechnics' toxic fumes.

Closer to home, our dogs (and cats), struggle to cope with the perceived attacks to their safe haven and respond either by "attack barking", trying to run away or cowering in a pitiful shacking mess. That is no surprise as dog hearing is far more sensitive than humans, as they are able to hear sound four times farther away than we can and up to three times higher frequency too. Your cat's hearing is even better!
Having said all of the above, some lucky pooches are only concerned that their nap time is being interrupted and couldn't care less about the light show.

Strategies for Coping With the Fireworks Season

• Exercise your dogs before dusk before most of the fireworks commence. If you can, take them on an extra-long and energetic walk with plenty of stimulation so that they are tired and more relaxed.
• Ensure all your pets are indoors. Comfort them to make them feel safe and secure.
• Build a den where they can take refuge. If you have one, cover your dog’s crate or place a blanket over a small table where they can hide. Cats, on the other hand, feel safe up high or in cosy spaces like a cardboard box. Place a comfy bed for them with blankets to burrow in and make sure that they always have access to this safe haven.
• Don’t leave them on their own. Your pet will definitely feel safer if you are around. If you must go out, make sure that someone they know stays with them.
• Play with them and keep them entertained and distracted. The Facebook Group Beyond The Bowl - Canine Enrichment share some great ideas
• Shut windows, doors (and cat flaps) and draw curtains to minimise the noise/light disturbance. Put the lights on in some rooms and leave others in darkness so that your pet can choose where it feels safest.
• Play calming music or turn the tv sound to loud to muffle the outside noise but not too loud that will scare your dog.
• Put your dogs on a lead if they need to go out to the toilet, even if it is in your garden,  in case they hear a firework and bolt.
• Thundershirt: This is a very popular all-natural, drug-free solution to dealing with your pet’s anxiety and fear of loud noises. The shirt applies gentle constant pressure on specific pressure points that create a sensation similar to swaddling a baby. It is available for dogs and cats, starting at around £30 and available in different sizes and designs.
• Put on a snug-fitting t-shirt on your dog. A more affordable version of the Thundershirt that will work along the same lines.
• Be prepared in the event that your pet escapes. Ensure that they are wearing a tag with your contact details and/or that they are microchipped so that you can be promptly reunited with them. 
• Natural Remedies:  CBD (Cannabidiol) Oil, a non-psychoactive substance obtained from hemp, is well known for its therapeutic properties and it has recently gained more popularity for use with our pets for treating a variety of ailments such as seizures, lessening pain and calming anxiety, to name a few. Make sure you purchase from a reputable company. We personally use Chakanna CBD oil who has a special range for Pets.

Help For Cases of Fireworks Phobia or Conditioning

Sound Therapy 4 Pets is a wonderful and FREE sound-based treatment programme to help your dog deal with distressing noises. You can download the programme and the full set of instructions from the Dog Trust Website

Clinical Animal Behaviourists. For those cases that need special attention. Details where you can find suitably qualified personnel can be found at the RSPCA.

Be Safe - Be Thoughtful - Be Kind

Help Make Fireworks Less Frightening to Animals

No sound Fireworks 

If you are a big pyrotechnics enthusiast, why not buy “No Sound Fireworks”? You get the thrill of deploying the firework and enjoy the colourfull light show without the loud bangs.

Klasek is the European pyrotechnics company that manufactures them. You will find their UK stocklist here. Prices start around £30 for 25 shots.

Join the RSPCA Fireworks campaign to help change regulations to protect animal welfare.
The campaign does NOT call for a total ban on fireworks but aims to minimise distress to animals by, for instance, restricting the sale of fireworks for private use with a maximum noise level of 90 decibels. To put this into context, currently, the allowed level of 120 decibels is the equivalent of a jet aircraft taking off! 

Please sign the Change.org petition and don’t forget to share it on social media.

Halloween Can Be Fun For Dogs Too!

Dressing Up:

There are some hilarious and cute costumes available for your pets. Obviously, don't force them to wear one if that is going to distress them but otherwise let them enjoy the fun. 

Tasty and Nutritious Treats

With all that pumpkin around, why not treat your dog to some delicious and nutritious food. Read our previous blog post about the benefits of cooked Pumpkin for dogs. Also, watch out for our next HALLOWEEN SPECIAL for a tasty selection of Pumpkin Treat Recipes for Dogs. If you don't want to miss it, make sure you go to the top of the article and on the right-hand side of the page you will see the option to "Subscribe".

Do NOT feed RAW Pumpkin flesh or seeds, only cooked or canned

From all of us here at Dogs at Home House Sitting, we wish you a very Spooky and Fun Halloween. 
Be safe and be responsible always remembering to clean up all firework residue such as bits of paper, spent casings, used matches and ash. The debris can be toxic and harmful to animals that may ingest them. 

Thanks

Pilar and John

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