As much as we love to see bright fireworks, we need to think of our pets when they are going on. This can be a stressful and scary time for our animals. It is worth speaking to one of our vets BEFORE the fireworks start as we can advise and potentially help in a variety of ways.

Here are a few tips that may help:

• Maintain your normal routine as far as possible. Small changes may cause your pet extra apprehension and anxiety

• Give your animal an area to hide. A cardboard box or crate with lots of blankets is ideal as this will muffle noise.

• Close your curtains and put the radio or TV on loud as a distraction. Try to do this before the fireworks start.

• Walk your pet earlier and for longer to try and tire them out.

• Avoid walking your dog in the evening when fireworks are being set off. Keep cats and other small furries (rabbits/guinea pigs) indoors.

• Feed your pet a little bit extra (a bigger meal will make them more sleepy)

• Do not acknowledge your pet’s fearful behaviour. Stay calm and show your pet there is nothing to be scared of. Leave them to hide if this is what they want to do.

• Speak to one of our team about natural calming tablets, wipes, diffusers and sprays that are available for both dogs and cats. In extreme cases prescription medications can be used.

• Buy a calming plug-in diffuser, such as Pet Remedy. You can also get Pet Remedy calming wipes.

We are offering a firework consultation with one of our vets for £25 from October to December 2023. Please call us today on 01665 252 250 to book your pet before the firework season starts.