GENERAL TIPS

Make sure that dogs and cats are indoors, and any pets that live outside, such as rabbits, are covered up with thick blankets or old carpet.

• On the day of the event, feed your dog a good meal rich in carbohydrate and fat late afternoon so he has a full stomach over the evening. 

• Make the room as dark as possible. Give him some toys. (Have some things for you to do as well!). Blacking out the room removes the potential for additional problems from flashing lights. Make a den with a nice comfortable bed in it to act as a “safe haven”. Get him used to this at least two weeks before the event. Provide pheromone support (see below). Cats will require a litter-tray.

• Put some music on, preferably something with a lot of constant drum beats. It should not be too loud as this might cause additional stress. 

• Ignore the noises of the fireworks yourself and, if he isn’t in his den, try to engage him in some form of active game.

• Favourite chews and toys can provide a distraction.

• Make sure your pet is in a safe and secure environment so that he doesn’t bolt or escape if a sudden noise occurs.

• Tire him out during the day so that he is more likely to be sleepy in the evening

ADAPTIL (Appeasing pheromone)

Pheromones are substances that are released by bitches to reassure their puppies and it has been shown that these reassuring properties persist into adulthood. Trials have shown an 80% improvement in the clinical signs most frequently observed by owners such as panting, trembling, cowering & hiding.

Adaptil is available in three forms:

1.Diffuser:            £27.30. One diffuser is enough for one floor of a two-bedroomed house. £22.92 for a refill.

2. Spray:     £26.99. This is particularly useful for a more local effect when sprayed onto the dog’s bed. It can be used as a back-up to the diffuser.

3. Collar:               £28.49/26.88, depending on size. The collar has obvious benefits because it is on the dog at all times.

4. Tablets:            £9.48/10 tablets. These work more-or-less straight away.

Visit the web-site www.adaptil.co.uk for a lot more information (A similar product called Feliway is available for cats).

ZYLKENE

Like Adaptil, this is a natural product which helps to control stress in dogs. It contains a derivative of the bitch’s milk protein, casein. The dose is given once daily. It is palatable and easy to give, either whole or mixed with the food. It comes in three sizes.

Zylkene 75 mg     £7.20/10 capsules                 up to 5kg body weight:     1 capsule daily               

5 – 10 kg body weight       2 capsules daily

Zylkene 225mg   £12.96/10 capsules                          10 – 20 kg               1 capsule daily

Zylkene 450mg   £22.08/10capsules                           20 – 40 kg               1 capsule daily

                                                                                    Over 40 kg                2 capsules daily

OTHER MEDICATION

As a last resort, we can prescribe other suitable medication for your dog.  Please contact us in good time, as you may need to discuss this with a vet, and your dog may need a health check first.