26/10/2023
Fireworks!
As we are coming into the month of fireworks lighting up our skies, it’s important to remember our furry friends. Now is the time to start thinking about how we can support and desensitize our pets through this stressful and fearful time.
A little bit of planning can make a big difference. Some Homeopathic remedies can help your animal deal with fear and keep them calm.
For the sensitive or nervous dog or cat, certain times of the year can be particularly terrifying. Halloween means hordes of noisy, costumed trick-or-treaters coming to the door for hours. Then quickly followed by Bonfire Night which seems to roll into New Year’s Eve without much of a break, which can mean fireworks for days or weeks on end …
These can have your noise-sensitive dog and cats cowering in their beds or hiding under the furniture. Some dogs pace, tremble or even bark with fear … and no amount of reassurance from you can get them to settle, there are, however, things you can do at home that will really help.
Fear and stress
In addition to the noises caused by fireworks, they also harm animals by causing fear. In fact, repeated exposure to unexpected, unpredictable loud noises can cause phobias in many animals, increasing panic reactions to loud noises in the future.
Here are some Homeopathic remedies and tips to consider. I would always recommend purchasing a Helios or Ainsworth Pet Kit which will contain these remedies along with many more and can treat a mouse or a shire horse.
Aconite. These pets will be over-anxious and over-sensitive to noise and are easily startled. They can become extremely distressed and panic-stricken and feel very vulnerable. This is a great remedy for when their emotions are very intense and are brought on suddenly. Aconite is a very good remedy for horses during firework season.
Arsenicum. This is a great remedy for those pets where they are very anxious, fearful and insecure. These pets can’t be left on their own as this is very frightening for them. They are quick to panic and need to be reassured. These are the pets that are going to demand attention, but this does nothing to reduce their insecurities.
Phosphorus. This remedy is good for all noise phobias. These are the pets that are going to be very restless, nervous and fearful. They tend to be sensitive to sudden noises and easily startle and may be fearful of being touched. This remedy is good for all noise phobias. It can be given once or twice a day.
Borax – This remedy is specific for fears of thunderstorms, sensitivity to noise, and being easily startled with marked irritability.
Gelsemium – Great remedy for fireworks, when we see marked trembling especially from a fright. They can be timid, express terror, scared after a fright, and fears.
Argentum Nit – Is a great remedy when the nervous systems are affected especially with anxiety and a range of fears!
Kali Carb – This often helps an older animal who has recently or unexpectedly developed a fear of loud noises.
Rescue remedy – This is a wonderful remedy as an in-between to help settle anxiousness and restlessness, can be easily sprayed into the water bowl.
Narayani Calming mix – This is a combination of many remedies which can help with nervous exhaustion, agitation, restlessness, sensitiveness, twitching, nervous tremor, and is good for hysterical and nervous symptoms.
Here are also some great tips on how you can help to reduce their anxiety levels:
You Tube is your friend!
I have many videos about reducing stress and anxiety for people and pets there under my name that you may find helpful.
You tube has many videos or sound tracks of fireworks. Start playing these to desensitize your household pets. When you get a new pet this is a great way to desensitize them and also play them periodically especially around October time leading to Halloween and Bonfire night.
Keep your pet indoors and stay with them if possible
Provide them with an area that is safe and where they can hide if they want to at night close the windows and curtains to muffle the noise and flashing lights as much as possible
Put on a bit of music or have the TV going
Give them a bone/treat/favourite toy to help keep them occupied
Dogs and Cats
Make sure your dog or cat has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to and has access to this place at all times. For example, this could be under some furniture or in a cupboard.
During firework season, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.
At nightfall close windows and curtains and put on music to muffle the sound of fireworks.
Have the TV or radio playing to even out the noise.
Give them their favourite toy to play with or a bone to keep them occupied and distracted.
Give cats some catnip.
Paddock and Stable animals
Ask neighbours to refrain from setting off fireworks or set it off on the other side of their house or in the opposite direction from your paddock.
Make sure your animals are in a safe paddock they know well and have enough room to run around if they do go into a panic.
Put suitable Homeopathic remedies in their troughs on the day fireworks are expected, to help calm them down.
Homeopathy offers support for both humans and animals by restoring one’s body into balance. It’s important to seek professional advice from a qualified registered homeopath or local Vet if your pet is experiencing ongoing issues. Want to find out more about Homeopathy can help you and your animals?
Get in touch for an integrated holistic personalised plan for your beloved .com
Sarah-Jane Farrell
Vital Animal talk
SJdogservices
