Help Your Pet Cope This Fireworks Season!
June 18, 2015
With Canada Day fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about safety precautions and comfort for your furry friends!
Small Pets
Smaller animals such as rabbits, birds, Guinea pigs, or Hamsters are easily frightened. When fireworks are being let off, they needed to be treated with extra care. A few precautions to help these animals through the Canada Day festivities include;
- Moving their enclosures into a quiet room indoors or, if taking it inside is not an option, turning it around to face a shed or fence instead of the open yard.
- Provide them with extra bedding to hide in so it feels safe
- Cover outdoor enclosures with thick blankets to soften the sound of the fireworks, while ensuring there is still enough ventilation.
Dogs and Cats
When dogs and cats are frightened, they're more likely to run away, so follow these guidelines to keep your family pet where he belongs!
- Never take your dog to a fireworks display, always leave them at home and in the house. Being indoors will lessen the noise slightly, and ensure they do not run away.
- Be sure to walk your dog earlier in the day, before the fireworks start.
- Close all windows and doors, and block off doggy doors to keep pets from escaping the house, while also lessening the noise. Draw the curtains, and turn the TV or radio on in order to block out even more of the noise from the fireworks.
- Ensure your dog is wearing some sort of easily readable identification, even in the house. Think about having your pets fitted with a microchip so if they do happen to run away, your chances of being reunited quickly will be much higher.
- Avoid leaving your pet alone during unsettling events such as fireworks. If you do have to leave the house, don't get angry if your pet has been caused any damaged after being left alone. Shouting at a frightened animal will only stress it out more.
- Let your pet pace, whine, meow, or hide in a corner if it needs to. Do not try to coax it out - it's just trying to find safety, and should not be disturbed. Do not try to cuddle them, they will think that you are worried too, and this will make the problem worse. Act normal, and praise calm behaviour.
- Try preparing a safe haven for your pet, throw some of your old clothes under a bad or in a closet. Your pet may like to hide there when the fireworks start!
For more Information about Pets and Fireworks, Check Out This RSPCA Download !
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