Bonfire night bonkers!

WE all know that bonfire night and fireworks can cause stress and injury to animals, with the noise and flash of lights, in some cases causing severe anxiety problems.

Dogs can become destructive, aggressive, withdrawn, vocalised and toilet inappropriately over the firework period, due to severe anxiety and noise phobia.

Head Veterinary Nurse Shelly Jefferies from Jonathan Wood Vets explains it is advisable and more effective to prepare for and begin behaviour modification at least two to four weeks before bonfire night.

A true desensitisation will take weeks to months to perfect, working slowly and building on positive associations, however there are many do’s and don’ts to help your pet on bonfire night:

DO:

Make a den/hiding area for them to go into

Use Nutracalm – a natural calming product 30 minutes before darkness - Jonathan Wood Vets have had multiple successes with this product in anxiety and stress cases

Use Adaptil – this is a appeasing pheromone, simulating the reassuring odour a bitch would deliver to her puppies. It can be used as a collar, spray or plug in diffuser

Draw all curtains and leave the lights on

Put on the television/radio and leave on overnight to interrupt the noise

Have a nice toy, food puzzle or chew available to provide distraction

DON’T:

Think "fronting" out the problem will cure it, this will just make the issue worse

Leave preparation for the situation until the last minute

Use sedation, it is unreliable and unsafe. In some cases it can actually make anxiety worse, if given to an already stressed dog

Reassure the dog – although this goes against human nature, reassuring can actually compound the anxiety, as you are actually reinforcing the fear

If you would like any advice on how to best prepare your pet for bonfire night, please contact Jonathan Wood Vet Ltd, on 01363 772319 and speak to one of the veterinary nurses.