WITH firework displays expected during Thursday’s Guy Fawkes celebrations, the Durban and Coastal SPCA shared a list of tips for pet owners to help keep pets calm amidst the noise.
These tips will be useful to pet owners as firework season continues with several festivals over the next few months.
Tanya Fleischer, marketing manager for the Durban and Coast SPCA advised pet owners to ensure their pets are kept safely indoors.
“Keep them indoors in a familiar room and close the windows and curtains. Put the TV or radio on to muffle the sound. Stay in the room with them and act normally, our pets react to our emotions, so if you are calm, they will feel calm,” she said.
Also read: How lockdown stress can affect your pets
Keeping your pet busy is a good way to distract them from the fireworks, added Fleischer.
“Give them something to do, such as a chewy bone to munch on or catnip toys for cats,” she said.
There are also useful medications to help calm pets, said Fleischer.
“Get a herbal calming medication for your pet. This is most effective when started a week prior to the expected fireworks, available to purchase at your local SPCA or vet,” she explained.
Also read: More than 70 SPCA pets adopted in July
Fleischer also advised pet owners to have their pets microchipped.
“Please make the SPCA your first port of call should you find a lost or stray animal or if you have lost your pet. Animals are kept at the SPCA for seven days before they are put up for adoption. If your pet has gone missing, please ensure to visit your local SPCA’s within the seven day time frame,” she said.
SPCA inspectors are on call for any emergencies on 083 212 6103.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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