As New Year’s Eve approaches, many of us look forward to watching the spectacular firework displays. But as a pet parent – and even if you aren’t a party enthusiast – some measures should be adopted to ensure your buddy’s safety and well-being. Here are some New Year’s Eve pet safety tips to help you manage the relationship between dogs and fireworks!
Fireworks can be dreadful
Fireworks can be a total nightmare for pets – dogs and fireworks, in particular, are definitely not a love story! But it really doesn’t have to be that way. If your buddy gets scared, there are plenty of things you can do to help make these celebrations less frightening.
We highly recommend you prepare everything in advance, as it will be easier for your pet to cope with the extreme noise and stress of the evening. So here are some tips:
- Familiarity is calming for pets, so try by all means to keep the usual daily routine.
- Spend some extra time playing with your pet in an attempt to wear them out. You can also grab your warmest jacket and take your dog for a long and relaxing walk.
- Provide a hiding spot where they feel comfortable and safe, with access to water and some cherished toys.
- Pheromone collars or diffusers may come quite useful, but they won’t solve the problem.
- In case your pet gets really anxious and the above measures are not enough, it’s highly likely that you will need help from a veterinary behaviourist or a trainer who is qualified to deal with these kinds of fears by means of desensitization and positive reinforcement teaching. Reach out to Maven’s clinical team and we will be glad to give you some guidance!
And what to do while the fireworks are exploding? Well, you can start your own rave back at home if your buddy is also up to it! Put some nice music on, turn up the volume and try to muffle the craziness! Do not forget to close all the windows and engage in play with your buddy as a distraction.
Keep an eye on the alcohol (and other substances)
You are the only one allowed to have a cup or two during New Year’s Eve! Alcohol ingestion in pets can lead to depression, unsteady walking, vomiting, and in severe cases, a serious drop in blood pressure and body temperature. Make sure any alcoholic beverage is out of reach and don’t forget the temptation of temptations: chocolates filled with liquor!
Try to feed your pet before the party begins and keep them far away from your scrumptious treats. Any kind of sweets are out of the question as well.
Don’t be taken by surprise
The fireworks-coping plan aside, there are a few more things that need to be ensured. Always check that your dog or cat is correctly identified with a microchip and an ID-tagged collar.
If you are going out this year, leave your best friend in a safe environment! It is important to double check around the house to assure that all exits are secured, and do what you can to make your pet feel comfortable and safe in their own home. As always, remove any harmful item (plants, foods, medications, etc.) from the reach of exploratory paws and noses!
Conclusion
We hope these New Year’s Eve pet safety tips come in handy, and help you manage the difficult relationship between dogs and fireworks! To end this article, we would like to emphasize three more rather important points:
- As challenging as it may seem, firework phobia is a treatable condition and animals don’t have to suffer such misery every year. Seek advice from your vet who will, if necessary, refer you to a professional clinical animal behaviourist.
- Never ever punish your frightened pet for a misbehaviour, as this will only make things worse in the long run. That is because the animal will link the punishment to an already stressful event, becoming even more anxious.
- Have tons of fun with your furry friend on this new arriving year!
Maven is all about proactive pet care. Be your best friend’s best friend by giving them 24/7, high-quality, industry-leading vet care to improve their mental health, physical health and more. No more frantic googling or unneeded stressful visits to the vet – Maven helps you save hundreds while also ensuring your pet lives the best life possible. Get your kit now!
