Back to Dog Info List

Firework Fears - How to Help

Introduction

Fireworks season is almost upon us and with it bang (literally!) go the chances of any dogs or cats being able to relax for the evening.

Special Help is at Hand

In preparation for this distressing time of year, we are giving you the opportunity to prevent your pet becoming petrified. If your pet is one of the many cats or dogs that suffer from a phobia to fireworks then come along to our client information evening on 27th October 2008. We will have three guest speakers and a range of products that can help your pet on display. The talk is free of charge, a light buffet will be provided. You can book your place by calling the Parkvets Veterinary Hospital, Footscray on 02083008111.

Other Ways of Helping

In the past your vet may have prescribed ACP (yellow) tablets to sedate your pet, but did you know there are now better options to help? ACP actually can make animals more sensitive to sound, so although your pet is sleepy and appears relaxed, the sounds he is hearing are probably even more frightening.

A better alternative is a behavioural programme as outlined below, which will help to actually cure your pet's fear rather than just mask the signs.

Diazepam Tablets

These will not make your pet so sleepy, so may not seem to work so well. However, they cause short-term memory loss, so your pet will wake in the morning having forgotten the fear of the night before. This begins to break the cumulative effect of night after night hearing and being afraid of firework noise. These pills reduce anxiety without the tranquillising effect of ACP. Just as with ACP, the dose can vary with the individual, so you may need to give a trial dose a few days before fireworks night to test the effect. Your pet will need to see your veterinarian for these pills to be prescribed.

The less you can rely on drugs the better for your pet, so consider carefully the next few steps also.

How to cope with your pet showing fear of fireworks

• Do not comfort your pet if he is fearful, as this will only reward the behaviour.
• Do not punish him either, as that will heighten his anxiety.
• Do not react to the noises yourself.
• Try to use distraction i.e. loud familiar noises such as television or music, curtains drawn and a darkened room.
• Provide your pet with a den-like area in which he can hide. This should ideally be in the same room in which you will be sitting in for the evening.

• It is best not to leave your pet alone on the nights when there are loud, local firework displays. The animal may panic, and then be reluctant to be left on his own in the future.

DAP Diffuser

Plug in a DAP or Feliway diffuser, in the area where your pet will spend most of his time in the evening. Do so about two weeks before firework night. This is an electrically heated diffuser device, which delivers a synthetic analogue of "dog appeasement pheromone" into the environment for four weeks. A refill is also available. This product is available from your veterinary clinic and can be purchased without seeing the vet.

Dog appeasement pheromone, is secreted naturally by the lactating bitch from about three days after giving birth. Its function is to enhance the attachment between the puppy and its mother, keeping it calm and contented. We now know that this effect extends into adulthood.

Feliway contains a feline facial pheromone known to relax and calm cats.

Zylkene and Kalmaid

Zylkene and KalmAid are new products that contain Alpha-Caesin and L-Tryptophan. Both drugs help boost serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin has a calming and relaxing effect.

We have now been using these prodcuts for over a year and have had some fantastic results. Both products can be used indefinitely so are excellent for use over the prolonged firework period.

Sound Scary Desensitising CD

You may wish to desensitise your pet completely to the sound of fireworks. The best way to do this is to use a specially recorded CD of firework whooshes and bangs. Summertime is the best time to start such a programme as it may take several months to complete. This is the gold standard in treatment for firework fears.

Referral to see a Behavioural Specialist

If your pet has developed a severe reaction to fireworks (or other noises), or if noise fears have led to separation related problems, then longer-term drug treatment will be necessary. This needs to be combined with a behaviour modification programme that will include desensitisation and counter-conditioning. A referral from your regular Veterinary Surgeon can be arranged to see Kat Stoneham, our resident pet behaviour expert.

Remember

Fears and phobias tend to worsen over time, not get better. It is much easier to deal with the pet's anxiety in the early stages, before it gets too severe.

All of the products mentioned in this article can be purchased from Parkvets. However we strongly suggest you see your vet or book in with Kat before beginning a program to help manage your pet's anxiety.

Related Stories on Parkvets.com

Fireworks - Pets Hate Them! by Dave Nicol