It’s that time of year again – remember, remember the fifth of November: and most of all, remember pets on this day.
As fireworks erupt across the country, pets will not consider this a joyous occasion with research from the RSPCA showing that 45% of animals show signs of fear when they hear fireworks – with many even running off and getting lost or seriously injured.
As such, if you’re an insurance broker who has arranged pet insurance for your client you might want to remind them about the obvious problems that this weekend’s celebrations can cause and give them some tips about how keep their pets calm and safe.
Simon Stanney, the general insurance director at SunLife, has done some of the work for you by issuing his top 10 tips to keep pets safe this Bonfire Night.
His tips are as follows:
1. “Make sure you take your dog for a walk well in advance of any fireworks being set off and keep him on a lead in case any early displays start you do not want him to bolt off scared.”
2. “All dogs should be microchipped now (in April it became a legal requirement) so make sure your pet is microchipped with your current contact details as this will increase the chance of getting your pet back if they run off and get lost.”
3. “Do not take your pet to a firework display – keep them indoors with windows and doors securely closed while fireworks are being set off but make sure they are able to move freely around the house so they don’t feel trapped.”
4. “Invest in pheromone diffusers, sprays (for cats) or collars (for dogs). These release a synthetic version of calming pheromones and ideally should be used a week or so before fireworks displays start to take place.”
5. “You may want to get a CD with fireworks noise on it, this can be played a week or so before so they get used to the sound. On the night, it is a good idea to have some background noise such as the TV, radio or other music and start to play it before the fireworks start. Try and soundproof the house by drawing curtains.”
6. “Create a ‘safe haven’ for your pet – somewhere they can go and settle if they become distressed. It could be their usual bed or a little den - put their favourite toys and blankets in there and try and encourage your pet to get used to it a few weeks before firework night. Make sure your pet has access to his ‘safe haven’ while the fireworks are going off and do not interfere or impose yourself on them when they are in there.”
7. “It is a good idea to create a safe haven for cats too – this may be in a quiet corner or under some furniture - but let your cat hide wherever they want to and do not try and tempt them out as they will become more stressed.”
8. “Don’t leave your pets alone – your presence will reassure them. If you think comforting them will help them relax, then do so, but do not force it on them as this will make their fears worse.”
9. “Praise your pets for being calm and do not shout at them or punish them if they have been destructive or messy because this will just upset them further.”
10. “With smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs, bring their hutches inside if you can, if that’s not possible, try and soundproof the hutch by covering it in blankets to limit the noise.”
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