To Animal Lovers / Fireworks.

[Rooo]

Something I picked up on Facebook.

Exploding fireworks can be extremely traumatic for dogs.

Terrified dogs have been known to smash through windows and chew through fences during fireworks. Dogs have died impaling themselves on fences and cutting themselves on broken glass.

Here are a few easy steps you can take to make the fireworks tonight less of a traumatic experience for your companion animals.

(1) Stay home with your dog if at all possible. Stay calm so they don’t stress further. If you cannot stay home organise a responsible person to care for them.

(2) Drown out fireworks noise with the television, fans, etc. Keep lights on and curtain shut.

(3) Make sure your dog has had plenty of exercise before the fireworks start and that they are well fed. A tired well fed dog will be less anxious.

[nod]

Good post. Cheers.

[AngThong]

Here's a thought to all the dogs out there. Hope you'll stay safe. Don't know how cats react but mine will stay indoors with me far away from all the noise.

[koo]

Many friends of mine who have a bathroom in the middle of the house (so no windows) make a "nest" for the dog(s) for New Years. For the craziest hours near midnight, the bathroom door is closed, lights on and there is a comfy bed/blanket on the floor + somethig nice to eat & drink.

One of my friends even has a music player with cozy classical music playing. His dog already starts waiting for his "own kingdom" by the bathroom when the first fireworks are heard a couple days before.

There was a report on Finnish news yesterday about the problem with dogs and fireworks. If the dog is very scary and suffering a lot, a vet can also prescribe medication to calm the dog.

[bob4you]

My dog (Yorkie) is petrified but I will not leave her side, she is cuddled up next to me on my bed and will be all night long, this is too traumatic for her and she needs my comfort.

[ignis]

Funny how some dogs are petrified and others take no notice at all...

I have 8 Shih Tzu dogs, 4 are petrified of Firworks and Thunder and want to be on me, even so they still tremble, the youngest 2 now 5 months old, Brother is petrified Sister take no notice, but is always close to me 24/7

Some always come up to bed, up to them, last night 5 came up the babies waiting at bottom of stairs, 2 hid under the blanket next to me in bed, the other on me, the youngest girl was in her place as always on my head, this morning one was still under the blanket.

[Mole]

None of my cats couldn't care less though. I guess they're already used to all the ongoing noise.

Thai people seem to be in constant need of sounds around them.

Most of my Thai friends will always play some lame music in the car while driving and turn on the TV the moment they get home. They told me that the TV can be their "friend" when they're alone. I definitely do not consider my TV as a "friend". It's off most of the time, until I actually need to watch something.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Mole

[jaapfries]

Good & very relevant post.

New Year's Eve is the only time our dog's allowed in the house.

He knows this - and at the very first sign of the fireworks, he happily trots inside and doesn't come out until at least 01:30.

If I was a dog; I would do the same, because we really dislike firework-noise.

[wayned]

Good & very relevant post.

New Year's Eve is the only time our dog's allowed in the house.

He knows this - and at the very first sign of the fireworks, he happily trots inside and doesn't come out until at least 01:30.

If I was a dog; I would do the same, because we really dislike firework-noise.

If I was your dog I would make sure that someone set off fireworks every night of the year! I have 10, usually only 8 sleep inside at night, but last night all 10 did! I woke up this morning and somehow 6 had managed to sneak into the bed.

[Absolut]

I had 2 dogs until recently, the 30kg pittie x was terrified of thunder and firecrackers, the english staffie wouldnt flinch if a tank let off a round next to her, agree it's funny how somecan handle noise and others can't.