Pet owners given advice to calm animals during Bonfire Night

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 16:21 · Archive

Pet owners are being advised on ways to help anxious animals cope with Bonfire Night fireworks.

Pet owners are being advised to rethink their home layout to help keep animals calm during Bonfire Night fireworks. Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture & Choice, recommends creating a sheltered corner by rearranging seating away from windows and busy walkways, and closing curtains or blinds to block out bright flashes and reduce exposure to loud bangs. Heavier curtains can help soften some outside noise, although they will not soundproof the room completely. Keeping pets' favourite items such as their bed, toys and water bowl in an accessible part of the living room can provide comfort during the festivities.

In the Dogs Trust's National Dog Survey, 28 per cent of dog owners in East Sussex and 27 per cent in West Sussex reported their dogs showed sensitivity to fireworks in the past year. Dogs showing signs of stress display behaviours ranging from panting and yawning to hiding and trembling. Dogs Trust Shoreham is promoting a new free resource called the Sound Blanket, developed in partnership with the University of Salford using research into the acoustic impact of fireworks on dogs. The resource uses nine specially shaped sounds designed to mask firework noise and reduce stress for dogs. It is available on YouTube, Spotify and the Dogs Trust website, and features the sound of moving water, which research suggests can have a calming effect.

How it is being reported

• Chichester animal rescue urges residents to give fireworks warning ahead of Bonfire NightAn animal rescue centre, in Oving, is appealing to local residents to give advance warning if they are planning to set off fireworks during Bonfire Night celebrations, amid concerns about the impact sudden loud bangs could have on the animals in its care.Chichester Observer · 5 Nov, 15:32
• Charity unveils clever new way to help dogs frightened by fireworksA 'sound blanket' could help dogs cope better with noise of fireworks.The Argus · 5 Nov, 13:50
• Expert shares three simple ways to protect pets from Bonfire Night fireworksPet owners are being advised to rethink living room layout to help keep animals calm during Bonfire Night.The Argus · 4 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Dogs Trust · University of Salford · East Sussex · West Sussex · Katey Anderson

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