Blue Cross tips on protecting your animals from firework fears

By Amanda Stevenson

General news

01 October 2008 12:00

The firework season seems bigger and louder every year and brings terror to many of the nation’s pets, including horses and ponies, sometimes leading to phobias and behavioural problems. With fireworks night fast approaching, The Blue Cross is offering some essential advice to help owners keep equines and small animals safe and calm over the noisy nights:

• Find out if any fireworks events are taking place near your house or yard.  Events often take place in the weeks around Fireworks Night and not always on the day itself. 
• Wherever possible tell neighbours and local fireworks display organisers that there are horses nearby, so that they can ensure fireworks are set off in the opposite direction and well away from their field or stable.
• During the fireworks season, it is sensible to keep your horse in its familiar environment, whether in the field or stable, with companions if appropriate to help it feel secure.
• Keep a close eye on your horse during this period so you can observe its behaviour, ensure it remains as safe and calm as possible and respond to its reactions appropriately.
• Try to remain calm and positive as horses can sense unease in a person and this might make things worse if the horse is startled. And be careful not to get in the way as you could get hurt.
• If you need to leave your horse in the care of another person during the fireworks season, then ensure that you leave clear instructions and contact details for yourself and your vet should any problems arise.
• Keep dogs and cats indoors when fireworks are expected and help them find a safe place to hide.
• Ensure your pets are microchipped and/or wearing ID tags in case they do get scared and run away.
• Avoid picking pets up or over-comforting them if they seem anxious, this will only make them worse because they will think you are afraid too.

Julie Bedford, Blue Cross animal behaviourist, said: “The flashes and bangs of fireworks create a massive change to the usual environment of any animal, which can be deeply unsettling and scary for them. We encourage owners to plan ahead to keep their all their animals safe during fireworks season and take our advice on board. The best thing owners can do is act as normal as possible around their animals, monitor their behaviour and remain calm.”

The Blue Cross Fireworks & Pets advice leaflet, which contains information on how to keep horses and other pets safe, is available to download free from www.bluecross.org.uk/fireworks. It can also be picked up in firework packs, many national supermarkets or from any Blue Cross animal adoption centre, equine centre or hospital.

Listen to more of Julie Bedford’s advice and find out how other pet owners keep their pets calm this firework season on a special petcast available at www.bluecross.org.uk/petcasts

Photo courtesy of: www.bigfoto.com