Bonfire Fright?

Firework fears and phobias are a common problem in pets with at least 80% of pets being scared of fireworks.

If this phobia is left unaddressed, mild firework fears can often progress into a more serious noise phobia. An animal with a noise phobia will start to panic at the slightest noise and the reaction is always a sudden, extreme and excessive response. Together with behavioural advice, many mild firework fears can be successfully managed with Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats.

Adaptil and Feliway are both scientifically proven to reduce or prevent stress related behaviour in your cats and dogs in many different circumstances including the events on Bonfire Night. They are widely trusted and have been used by behavourists, veterinary experts and charities for over 10 years. As they are non-sedative Feliway and Adaptil can be used alongside medication and due to them being odourless they do not affect humans or other pets (species specific).

Adaptil For Dogs

Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the natural appeasing pheromone the mother dog produces to comfort and reassure her puppies which has a positive, relaxing and comforting influence on puppies and adult dogs.

Adaptil helps you to give your dog the reassurance and comfort needed to reduce or stop undesirable actions such as noisy, irritable or destructive behaviour caused by stress.

Adaptil can be used to help:

• During fireworks or storms.
• When travelling by car, boat or plane.
• When dogs are left alone (including puppies overnight).
• When dogs go somewhere stressful, like kennels, the vets or grooming parlour.
• When dogs experience change, such as meeting new people, moving house, the arrival of a new baby or new pet.

Adaptil comes in three different forms:

Adaptil Diffuser – Plug the diffuser into the room where your dog spends most of its time. Lasts up to 4 weeks.

Adaptil Spray – Spray onto your dog’s bedding, in its crate or the car. Convenient formulation for intermittent use.

Adaptil Collar – Available in 2 sizes: small and large. Fitted snugly around your dog’s neck, this collar will ensure the appeasing pheromone is with your dog wherever he goes. Lasts for 4 weeks.

Feliway For Cats

When a cat feels safe, it rubs its head against prominent objects, leaving behind facial pheromones. These facial pheromones convey a message of security and reassurance.
Feliway is a synthetic copy of these pheromones.

Feliway can be used to reduce stress and its consequences, such as loss of appetite, reduced playfulness and lack of interaction. Feliway is also clinically proven to help problem behaviour in Cats such as indoor urine marking, destructive scratching and fear of travel.

Feliway can be used to help:

• Fireworks and storms.
• When a new Cat, or another pet is introduced to the home.
• When Cats with different personalities have to share the same home.
• When Cats go somewhere stressful, like the Cattery or vets.
• When travelling by car, boat or plane.
• When the home is more busy or noisy than the Cat can cope with e.g. Christmas, during family visits etc.

Feliway comes in two different forms:

Feliway Diffuser – Plug the diffuser into the room where your cat spends most of its time. Lasts up to 4 weeks.

Feliway Spray – Apply daily to areas that your cat scratches or sprays, or to new items of furniture in your house. Or to cages that are used for travelling.

Three top tips for Fireworks

1. Provide a den or a covered area where your pet can feel safe.

2. Increase the feeling of security by plugging in an Adaptil or a Feliway Diffuser as close to the den or hiding place as possible.

3. Ignore fearful behaviour, such as panting, shaking and whining. Dogs may pick up on their owners’ anxiety which could make the problem worse.

Further Advice

• In the run up to fireworks night walk your dog when it is still light outside. This reduces the possibility of fireworks being let off and your dog becoming worried.
• Make sure all windows, doors and cat flaps are securely closed during fireworks night. This will reduce the chances of your pets escaping.
• Provide extra litter trays for cats. Litter Trays will be used more as your cat is confined to the house.
• Provide distractions, in the form of new toys and chews, during periods when fireworks are occuring. Draw curtains and put the TV on to mask the noise of fireworks being let off.
• DO NOT punish your pet! This will only make your pet more distressed.
• Try not to leave your pets alone when fireworks are going off. Your pet may hurt themselves during this time.

Other products that may help include:

Thundershirt
Herbal and Health
M&C Serene-Um Tablets

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