Pets on Bonfire Night

Bonfire night is coming: Roaring fire, bright bursts of colour, whizzes and pops and bangs. Hot dogs and soup; sparklers and warm wooly hats. Bonfire season is my favourite but there our other out there for who these festive events are as pleasant. There will be Guy Fawkes celebrations a plenty, but no doubt you’re thoughts have wandered away from the festivities and to some of the most vulnerable members of your family.

Pets at this time of year can experience unnecessary stress and because we cannot reason with them it is up to us to do our best to safe guard them against the fright of fireworks.

So the following posts will be looking at the various pets that might be occupying your home and how to make sure that they stay safe and happy this bonfire night season!

Have a great time everyone!!

Clickpets xx

Small Animals: Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Gerbils, Birds Chinchillas etc.

Sometimes it is easy to forget about smaller animals, especially those that live primarily or are relegated to the garden. But these animals scare very easily and it is important to make sure that they are as protected as possible during the firework season.

* If it is possible bring outdoors animals inside or take their runs into a garage or shed.
* If not put down extra bedding so that they can burrow as this will ease their anxiety.
* Cover their enclosure with a thick blanket making sure that there is still plenty of ventilation
* Turn enclosures to face a wall rather then the open garden, to reduce the risk of them being startled by the flashes.
* For animals that are kept in the house make sure you move them to the quietest room in the house and close curtains and doors to block out as much noise and light as possible.

Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are obviously what people think of when it comes to protecting your pets from firework frights. Not all animals’ exhibit signs of fear but sadly this doesn’t mean that they are not anxious or stressed. For dogs things such as excessive panting or yawning could be indicators of tension in your pet.

Here we’ve put together a quick list of dos and don’ts to make sure that you’ve done everything you can.

DO
* Keep your animals inside in a quiet room where the curtains, windows and doors have been closed.
* Block off cat flaps so that startled animals cannot escape.
* Put on music, the TV or radio as a distractive and comforting noise for your animals. Not too loud but enough to mask some of the quieter sounds.
* Make sure that your animals are wearing identification or have been micro chipped so that if they do escape they have a better chance of getting home again.
* Set up a hiding space for your animals. Somewhere warm and comfortable, filled with blankets they can hide under and an unwashed item of your clothing so they can smell you.

* Make sure this is set up weeks in advance of bonfire night so that they have time to grow accustomed to it.
* Reward calm behaviour and ignore frightened behaviour.
* Stay with your animals and stay calm, that way they’ll realise that nothing out of the ordinary is going to happen.
* Make sure you’re pets have gone out to the toilet before ‘locking’ them in: provide a litter tray for cats.

DON’T
* Walk your dog during prime firework time. Walk them early instead
* Take your dog to firework display, whether they seem to be fine or not.
* Don’t take your dog to the shops with you or tie them up outside a shop front while there’s a risk of fireworks
* Similarly don’t leave them in the car.
* If your pet displays anxious, destructive or agitated behaviour do not shout at it as this will only confirm that something bad may potentially happen. Reward good behaviour.
* Leave your pets unattended for long periods of time on firework evenings.

Horses and Livestock

Horses and livestock are some of the most vulnerable of animals when it comes to firework evenings as they can become agitated easily. If you’re organising a private display at home or at a local institution and are surrounded by farmland please make the effort to contact and inform the farmer or livery yard owner of your firework plans.

In many cases firework displays will be carefully positioned and sensitive to the needs of horses and livestock in the area. But as this is not always the case, especially concerning private displays, here are a number of precautions you can take to ease the anxiety of your animals.

* Keep your animals in the most familiar environment for as long as possible. If they are usually left out in the field, leave them for as long as possible before bringing them in to a secure area.
* Make sure that someone experienced stays with your animals. Animals are very intuitive and they will pick up on nerves or anxiety so remain calm when around them.
* Do not go riding when you suspect that you might encounter fireworks.
* If you need to relocate your animal for the evening then make sure you accompany them. If they have to be left in another’s care make sure that you leave clear instructions and contact details for yourself and your vet, which can be used should problems arise.

Woodland animals

Okay they might not classify as our pets but woodland creatures are just a susceptible to problems around Guy Fawkes Night. If you build a bonfire at home make sure you check it thoroughly before lighting it for hedgehogs or rabbits that may have made nests there. Another way to safe guard against harming these woodland creatures is to build your bonfire as late as possible or gather the materials and ‘rebuild’ it on the night in it’s designated location. That way, our furry woodland friends will have had ample time to flee.

Pet Myths Busted

I’m sure you’ve heard some of those fantastic rumours. That butter on a cat’s paws will stop it treading to far from home or that dogs are sick if their noses are warm? Well, we’ve had a look around and found a few that we felt needed banishing. So the following is some of the classic:

Dogs should have a litter before they are spayed.
Spayed dogs have a lower risk of cancer and urinary infections and there’s no reason for them to have a litter before they’re spayed.

‘The Cat who got the cream’ - Cats can have cow's milk.
They may love it but it isn’t very good for them. Although cats like milk they’re lactose intolerant and milk will give them a runny tummy. But, like us, it’s usually the bad things that taste the best!

Dogs are sick when their noses are warm.
A dog’s nose doesn’t actually indicate its health. It’s a classic old wives tale! The only way you’ll be able to tell if your dog has a fever – is the old fashioned way. With a thermometer. Normal dogs are about 37 – 39 oC.

The Kitty cat and the fish.
Cats are fine with the a little fish now and then but if it forms that main part of their diet they may fall victim to a vitamin E deficiency or yellow fat disease (aka steatitis) so, maybe just for special occasions.

Crossbreeds are always healthier than purebred dogs.
Not necessarily. They have diverse genes but can sometimes develop the diseases of both breeds. With purebreds you know which illnesses are likely and can test for them. Some crossbreeds aren’t tested properly. So make sure they are tested properly and you can take home that little puppy for sale!

If you move house put butter on your kitty’s paws to stop them roaming and getting lost.
No, really, don’t do that. Better to just keep them indoors with a litter tray until they’re settled and feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Give them 3 weeks plus and they’ll know where their new home is.

Happy dogs wag their tails.
Dogs do wag their tails when they’re happy. They also wag their tails if they’re: agitated or excited. Look for a tail wagged high or over the body for aggression. All other waggings are friendly.

Cats always land on their feet.
They do, but if they fall from too low down they might not have time to right themselves. And even if they do land on their feet they may break or fracture bones. Their seemingly impossible feats of flexibility sadly don’t make them invincible.

Dogs eat grass when they are sick.
Dogs eat grass because when they were wild they ate herbivores – so grass used to be a staple of their diet. Now they balance their diet with a little lawn.

A cat purrs because it's happy.
Cat’s purr when they’re happy. They also purr when their in pain or anxious or nervous. They can even purr when giving birth! Purring is more expressive of emotion, than specifically on happiness. But usually, a purring moggy is a happy one.

Dogs like tasty food.
Dogs actually have really bad taste buds and so the tastiness of a meal is predominantly based on smell.

All male cats spray.
No they don’t. Some will and it’s more likely to be non-neutered males then neutered ones. This is a good reason to neutered them. Don’t be fooled though, female cats can spray too! (Although, it’s less likely)

Cats and Dogs are enemies!
Not true in the slightest! Some cats and dogs will be enemies the same way that some people will be.

All cats hate water.
Not necessarily. Some cats like water and I’ve seen many a happy cat sit on the draining board and bat at a dripping tap for fun.

No doubt you’ve heard of many more, so feel free to add them in the comments below. Let’s hear them people, what’s the weirdest cat rumour you’ve ever heard, what old wives tales need banishing when it comes to cuddly puppies and happy pooches!

Doggy fashion: Yay or nay?

By now you must have seen it. A dog walks passed on a chilly winter day, a designer collar fair enough, we’ve all seen those, but his cute little Prada coat? That’s a whole other matter. Being a Brit means that this sight has largely passed this clickpets writer by. I’ve seen the occasional terrier in a cute little tartan doggy jacket but that’s hardy unusual. As for pink booties, fur trimmed hoodies and bobble hats – well that’s different.

This phenomenon led me online of course, where better to purvey a diverse spectacle of doggy fashion. I could not have prepared myself if I’d tried. Merely typing into Google the words ‘doggy fashion’ will bring up 278,000 hits (and think that’s just dogs). The net is awash with a diverse mix of doggy fashion paraphernalia. And I must admit – I quite like some of it.

I’ve heard the arguments for and against. That there’s no reason why you shouldn’t but at the same time, it’s stupid to put a coat on an animal that comes full-equipped, isn’t it? And surely, while all these items are beautiful, the perfect cute notion of doggy fashion can only apply to smaller breeds, can’t it? There’s something less appealing about a bull mastiff in a hoodie to me, and I’d truly feel for a St Bernard forced into a sweater.

A number of these sites particularly took my interest especially for their doggy furniture. I was almost envious of the adorable chaise lounge and the four posters beds. Some of the coats designed to keep our furry friends warm were more fashionable then items in my own wardrobe. But I have to admit I can’t shake the farm from my bones because carry bags just don’t inspire me. My dog and I will be walking.

Now, perhaps I’ve come to the doggy fashion world a little late, and perhaps I missed the point, but I wonder whether all this is really as much of a revolution as it’s made out to be? So, what do you think? Doggy fashion: yay or nay?