Tips on how you can help your pets and wildlife during fireworks season
The countdown is on to this year’s Bonfire Night, with families across the country planning fun-filled trips out to enjoy the fireworks.
But for our animal friends, the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations can be less of a treat. “Loud, sudden noises and flashing lights can trigger fight or flight responses in many pets and wild animals, meaning a nervous night could be on the cards for some,” explains Clinical Animal Behaviourist Rosie Bescoby.
“But with some careful planning, you can keep the needs of your pets and local wildlife front and centre, helping them through the Bonfire Night festivities as calmly and safely as possible.”
Here are some tips to help you do just that…
Indoor Pets
Keep cats and dogs inside after dark when you expect fireworks to go off. To avoid anyone sneaking out, keep external doors and windows firmly closed, and lock cat flaps. And remember, festivities might not be limited to November 5. Fireworks could be planned across the weekend ahead of Guy Fawkes night on Sunday.
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Rosie Bescoby is a clinical animal behaviouristTake dogs for walks earlier in the day, and don’t take them to a fireworks display. Even if your pooch seems calm when fireworks go off, keep an eye out for more subtle signs of stress like panting, whimpering, pacing or excessive yawning or drooling. Clinical animal behaviourist Rosie says: “If your dog is displaying any of these signs, respond calmly and in tune with your pet’s behaviour. If they’re seeking reassurance give it, but if they’re hiding, give them the space they need.”
To take the edge off sudden noises, close windows, draw curtains and blinds and create some constant sound indoors by keeping the TV on or playing music with a heavy drumbeat. White noise from sources like an extractor fan will also work.
Prepare a safe space for your pet in a quiet corner of your home where your pet likes to spend time with some of their favourite toys and comfortable bedding, providing them with somewhere to hide if needed. Make a litter tray accessible for cats and dogs who are used to evening walks, extra mental stimulation with games later in the day will help. Rosie adds: “Our pets’ emotional welfare is as important as their physical health, so we’ve got to take all the steps we can to care for them. Furthermore, if we don’t take these steps, adverse effects are likely to worsen every year.”
Outdoor Pets
While fireworks can be exciting for us, they can be scary for small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice. “This is because it’s difficult for them to understand they aren’t in danger when they hear or see them and most small pets are preyed upon in the wild, so are extremely sensitive to unfamiliar sights, noises and smells,” explains PDSA vet nurse Shauna Walsh.
PDSA vet nurse Shauna WalshFor small animals like guinea pigs or rabbits who live outdoors in hutches, move them inside to a garage, shed or into your home if possible.
To help dampen the noise and block out flashing lights, use a breathable blanket to cover their hutch, leaving space for plenty of ventilation.
Provide plenty of additional bedding to give smaller pets somewhere to burrow into if they get frightened and keep bonded pairs and groups together so they feel safe and secure.
Wildlife
“When it comes to making the most of the festivities, it’s important for people planning their own fireworks displays and bonfires to think about their local wildlife,” says Sean McMenemy, wildlife expert and founder at Hertfordshire-based Ark Wildlife.
“We all plan the party, buy the fireworks and prepare the snacks, these considerations are just one extra thing to add to the list.”
If possible, make your bonfire on the day you plan to light it. If you’ve already made yours, move it to a debris-free spot on the day to give wildlife that has already moved into it a chance to get out. Sean adds: “Even better, if possible, move your bonfire on a pallet to give creatures an escape route as the heat and fire travels upwards.”
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Sean McMenemy, wildlife expert and founder at Hertfordshire-based Ark Wildlife (zoe cooper photography)Use a torch to examine your bonfire to make sure there are no animals like hedgehogs, toads or frogs burrowed in there before you set it alight. If you do spot any, lift them gently to somewhere sheltered.
Direct fireworks away from trees and hedgerows to avoid disturbing birds and animals living there.
Keep noise to a minimum, as the loud bangs of fireworks can be frightening for wildlife. There are low-noise fireworks options available, as well as traditional options like sparklers. Sean says: “We want people to be able to enjoy their lives, it’s not us or them when it comes to caring for nature, so my advice is to have your festivities as early as possible once it gets dark to allow wildlife the opportunity to return to normal once the noise ends. Also, timing things earlier will mean making less of an impact on animals like foxes and badgers, who will stay in their boltholes until things get quiet.”
Clear up when you’re done. Used fireworks and litter can injure wild animals.
Webbox pet pics
We love a cute pet picture, as do our friends at Webbox. And we all want to see your favourite snaps of your animal pals, so please send them in – the cuter the better. We’ll share as many as we can on this page, and in our brilliant newsletter too.
This week’s picture features Prince and Derek, a cat and dog duo from Sale, Greater Manchester. Owner Gemma Collins says: “Derek’s favourite thing to do is chase squirrels in the park and bark at them when they run up trees – while Prince loves nothing more than stealing Derek’s spot on the sofa and forcing him to curl up in a corner!”
Prince and DerekSend your snaps to [email protected] or tag our socials. Make sure to tell us a bit about your pet and what makes them special to you. We can’t wait to see them!
People’s Pet Awards
Nominations are now open for the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox. We’re looking for cats, dogs and every pet in between who has saved and transformed lives, rescue animals who have overcome incredible odds, and pets who win the hearts of everyone they meet. There are also categories for people old and young who make a difference to animals’ lives. If your pet, or a pet you know, deserves an award you can find more information and nominate them at thepeoplespetawards.co.uk
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