Fireworks and pets especially dogs

Dog owners in the UK will soon be on an annual dog watch. Bonfire night is an annual event each November 5 but these days it extends for days, weeks or months. Modern Fireworks are noisy to say the least. The dark days of November will begin to sound as if War has broken out as fireworks continue to be enjoyed by some and hated by others. For pets such as dogs, and their owners, it is a nightmare.

With an expensive price tag fireworks do not come cheap these days. All of that aside though people never consider the effect all of this has on various pets and animals, unless that is they are a an animal owner.

So what can you do to help your pets through this British bonfire season?

If you have an animal that is very frightened consult your veterinarian. One dog we owned sometime ago was so scared that he would become very ill. Eventually the vet prescribed a mild sedative. Once my dog had taken his medication he would happily almost smile his way through the thunderous firework displays.

If you know that there will be fireworks, for example 4th July in the USA or 5th November in the UK forward planning will help.

• Walking your dog will need to be done early in the day. It is not fair on the animal to attempt to take it out during fireworks.
• If like me you feed your animals in the evening adjust the time. Feed your pet earlier or at a different time for this one day.
• If you are having to feed your dog later have some snack treats handy for the interim period.
• Remember that once you have fed your dog he or she will need to urinate or defecate.
• If you are having a firework display and know that dogs and cats are living close by consider moving away from your home a little.
• Dogs love a relaxing massage and this may help. It can take your dog's mind of what is going on and help them settle down.
• Some people find that ignoring their pet's behaviour during fireworks is the best plan. However your pet may need to stay close by you and be very unsettled.
• Keep your pets away from firework's even if they are not scared. Pets and fireworks are a bad combination and could spell disaster.
• Our two dogs like to go upstairs and lay in the spare bedroom on the floor when there are noisy fireworks outside. They prefer the room to be dark. This is a small price to pay for their peace of mind.

By all means enjoy your fireworks but give a little thought to pets and their owners. Fireworks these days are used to celebrate birthdays, New Year Christmas or just about anything. Fine if the display is short lived. Currently in the UK, nights that have fireworks will have the noise and bright lights from early evening until midnight and beyond. Years ago Bonfire night was over pretty quickly.

What does amaze me us is that as each person seems to be pleading poverty these days, people can afford to buy such fireworks to excess and constantly. Surely this money could be put to better use?