VET charity PDSA is urging pet owners to take action now to prevent millions of pets suffering from extreme distress and trauma triggered by fireworks.

Research by PDSA has revealed that the owners of a staggering eight million dogs and cats report that their pets are afraid of fireworks with more than a thousand pets being seen at its pet hospitals in the last 12 months for fireworks-related issues such as phobias and injuries.

PDSA Senior Vet, Sean Wensley, explained: “The PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report found that around 40% of UK owners of cats and dogs report that their pet is afraid of fireworks, and anyone who has seen their pet go through this misery knows how serious their anxiety and fear of firework sounds can be.

"Many shake and tremble, are unable to settle, toilet in the house, destroy furniture, and can even cause themselves physical injury if they panic, try to escape or run away.”

Thanks to funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, PDSA’s expert vets have produced a step-by-step Fireworks Ready guide for owners to help them prepare their pets.

For severe phobias PDSA recommend speaking to your vet, who will be able to discuss various options including referral to an accredited behaviourist.

For more detailed advice visit: pdsa.org.uk/fireworksready .