Halloween has become more popular each year with parties being held, fireworks being let off and children out trick or treating. Here are a few reminders to ensure that your pet stays safe.
- Keep all edibles out of reach of your pet , especially chocolate.
- Keep pets away from the front door. Children in costumes can scare a pet and with the door opening and closing frequently, you don't want them escaping.
- Do not dress your pet up unless they are completely comfortable with this and ensure that the accessories are kept simple. Supervise your pet at all times.
- Keep your cat indoors.
- Take care if you are using candles - wagging tails and swatting paws can knock them over.
We're ready for the fireworks!
So, you've set up a safe area in which your pet can retreat to, plugged in a diffuser to help your pet feel more relaxed (or chosen a natural calming product to suit your pet.)
- Take your dog for a walk early in the evening before the fireworks start.
- Ensure your pet is safely inside and secure doors, windows and cat flaps.Cats will need a litter tray.
- Is your dog or cat micro-chipped in case they do escape?
- Try not to leave your pet alone when fireworks are going off. Pets may hurt themselves or cause damage if they are not supervised.
- Shut curtains, keep lights on and switch on the radio or TV to help muffle out the sounds of the fireworks.
- Behave normally and praise your dog if they are relaxed.
- Ignore any fearful behaviour.
- Don’t get cross or punish your pet, regardless of their behaviour, as it will only make them more distressed.
- Cats prefer to be left to cope on their own - let them find a hiding place and leave them undisturbed.
Outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs;
- If the hutch is attached to a run, make sure that your pet is back in their hutch before it gets dark and close off access to the run.
- Provide plenty of extra hay in which they can burrow and hide. A cardboard box ,with a hole cut in the side for access and filled with hay, makes a good hiding place.
- Turn the hutch to face a wall or fence to help block out the flashes, or cover the hutch. Do however ensure that there is enough ventilation.
- If you can, move the hutch indoors to a cool part of the house or into a shed for example.
- You could always bring them inside for a cuddle (if they are used to this) or pop them in a pet carrier indoors with plenty of hay during the worst period of the fireworks.
