CLINIC NEWS

November Newsletter 2015

Can you believe it's already November? How quickly the year passes! With November comes a holiday that most pets and owners dread - Guy Fawkes. For many cats and dogs, the loud explosion can cause an immense amount of fear and can cause an increase in stress behaviours in your pets.
The most common signs of stress are panting, trembling, cowering, hiding, vocalising, distructiveness, salivation, attention seeking, urination, and defecation. 
If your pet has trouble during firework season, read through the following tips below to help make things easier for the both of you. 

Ensure that your animals are kept inside at night to keep them safe from the celebrations, and that they have a safe hiding place, den, or crate to help them feel secure.
Walk your dog early in the evening and take them out to the toliet an hour before the fireworks are due to start. For tolieting throughout the evening, keep you dog on a leash to prevent them bolting or injuring themselves at unexpected noises.

Close all the windows and doors to keep noise to a minimum and provide distractions in the form of new toys, chews, the television, or radio.

Ignore fearful behaviour. As much as you want to comfort your pet, this reinforces the idea that there is something to be frightened about and animals pick up on anxiety easily, making them even more worried.

DO NOT punish your pet for their behaviour. This will only further their distress.

If possible, try to stay with you pets during the peak firework times. Your company will help them feel calm and safe.

Ensure that the environment is secure, especially backyards for those with dogs as many animals go missing in their attempt to run and hide from the noise. It is also important to make sure your pet is microchipped and that your microchip details are all up to date so that should your pet get lost, it will be easier to reunite you both.

For cats being kept inside, ensure that they have access to a fresh litter tray.

If these methods aren't enough to comfort your pet, speak to one of the nurses at the front counter about Adaptil, Feliway, and Calmex. These products have been specially designed to help ease stress and bring comfort to your pets when they are experiencing worrying situations and can be sold over the counter. We have plenty of information on each and would be happy to discuss your pet to decide what's best to keep them happy. 

All the best,

The team at Whangaparaoa Vet Centre