Despite firework festivities on bonfire night being fun for the public, they can cause high levels of stress and anxiety for cats and dogs.
Here is some advice for caregivers from our managing director Deborah Burrows: “Apart from the obvious methods such as closing windows and blinds, we have urged customers to create a safe space for their pet.
“This means creating a ‘den’ or putting a cosy crate in a quiet room in the house so your pet can retreat to their safe place and snuggle down. We recommend putting some of their favourite toys and blankets in there, so they know it is a familiar and safe place.
“This tactic is proven to reduce anxiety in dogs because it allows them to escape the loud noises. We’ve also encouraged people to comfort their dog if they are showing anxious behaviours. Some people think that by offering comfort when they are scared, this can reinforce fear and make the feeling stronger, but that’s not true. Our advice is to offer soothing comfort freely if they ask for it”
“For cats, we suggest putting cardboard boxes around the house with some at higher levels because they tend to hide when they are scared. Again, using boxes allows them to retreat to a safe place.”
Classic FM’s Pet Classics will air from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday 4 November and Sunday 5 November to help pets relax during firework season.