Ease your pet’s fireworks fears

BAILING the family pet pooch out of the pound could be an unexpected Christmas expense if owners in Tooradin aren’t ready for the annual fireworks display.
With Christmas on the Foreshore once again boasting a powerful display of pyrotechnics, there’s sure to be plenty of loud noises on the evening of 13 December.
While most humans enjoy the bangs and whistles of fireworks, our canine companions can be scared out of their minds and out of their backyards by the unexpected explosions.
The RSPCA recommends pet owners take the following precautionary steps to ensure their Christmas isn’t ruined by a missing dog:
– Ensure pets’ microchip details and council registration details are up-to-date and that it is wearing a collar/ID tag with its owner’s current phone number.
– Keep pets in a secure indoor area during fireworks and thunderstorms – a laundry or garage is good if for outdoor pets.
– Create a hideout for the pet in a quiet room with as few windows as possible.
– Cover any windows in this room to further block out noise and to block out flashes of lightening or fireworks.
– Create a bed from blankets for burrowing and put an unwashed tracksuit or a similar item in the room so that the pet has the family scent to reassur it.
– A few days or more before the fireworks, start taking the pet into the room/crate and giving it treats on the blankets so that it gets comfortable.
– If fireworks are expected take the dog for a walk in the early afternoon to tire it out.
– Have food available in the room as extended chewing will help calm dogs and stimulation will distract them.
– Put on moderately loud music or a TV to muffle loud outside noises and to distract the pet. A small battery operated radio maybe a safe way to incorporate noise for distraction into this room.