Although we may still be enjoying the last of the good weather, now is a great time to think about preparing your pet for the firework season.
There are several steps you can take to help your pets cope with this stressful time. Planning ahead is important especially if you are considering using pheromone therapy.
At Cinque Ports Vets we have several pheromone treatments which will help your pet cope.
These range from plug in diffusers like Feliway and Adaptil to capsules which you put in your pet’s food for example Nutracalm and Zylkene. All have been proven to help in relaxing your pet in the less severe cases of firework fear. Unfortunately some pets do not respond to the natural products as their fear is too severe or they are noise phobic. In this instance sedative drugs may be required for a short period of time. These are available from your vet but they will require your pet to have had a recent health check and you may be asked to bring your pet in for a consultation. This is to ensure there are no underlying health problems which could be exacerbated by the medication.
Your reaction to your pet’s fearful behaviour is also very important, since reassurance encourages pets to continue displaying a particular behaviour. It is important to remember to reward your pet’s calm behaviour with cuddles and treats but if your pet is fearful, make sure you stay relaxed and act as a good ‘role model’ carrying on as if nothing is happening.
Your veterinary nurse is more than happy to discuss all the available options with you as well as provide some top tips for the firework season itself.
