Halloween can be a stressful time for both you and your pet. From early October we all dread the sound of fireworks throughout our neighbourhoods but with plenty of preparation in advance of Halloween we can help alleviate the stress and anxiety for our loving pets!
Preparing your nervous pet for Halloween needs to start months before the stressful period. Initial preparation may be as simple as playing background sounds of fireworks at a very low level that doesn’t bother your pet and gradually, building the volume over a number of weeks. Some pets may need some positive reinforcement whilst becoming accustomed to the new sounds, for example, playing with their favourite toy or giving them treats whilst hearing the ‘stressful noises’.
Halloween Night
On Halloween night itself, the best advice is not to leave your pet outdoors. Make sure they have access to a hiding place or ‘den’ in your house, by that I mean a secure and safe place where they will feel most comfortable, for some dogs this may be their normal crate covered in a blanket. In addition you can add soothing music to overshadow the noise of the fireworks.
Distraction is a useful tip for both us and our pets during times of stress. Playing indoors with your pet or using food-filled toys or puzzle toys can be very helpful particularly on Halloween night.
Some anxious pets will need more than just distraction and for them there are multiple prescription medicines to help reduce their stress levels. At Castle vets we stock a variety of products ranging from diffusers to sprays and both liquid and tablet preparations to reduce your pet’s stress. It really is important to initiate treatment prior to the beginning of the stressful period so please give us a call to arrange treatment for your beloved pet.
Finally it is very important to note that the noise and commotion of Halloween is distressing for some pets and therefore can increase the chance of them escaping or getting lost. Should this happen, in order to ensure your pet is safely returned, it is vital that your pet is microchipped and if so that all your contact details are correct on the national databases. If you need to get your pet microchipped or if you simply need to update your contact details then contact Castle Vets on 01-4640499 or book an appointment online by clicking here. We will always be happy to help!
