Go into 2022 with a bang, but with care

People will be looking to go into the new year with a bang, literally, but pet food specialists Whiskas and Pedigree plead with the community to take it easy and consider animals when using fireworks.

According to the Animal Welfare Society of SA, fireworks can cause distress to animals.

Below are tips and tricks to consider to keep your animals safe:

1. Speak to your vet

There are a number of off-the-shelf or prescribed calming remedies that one can give pets to aid minimise the trauma – just communicate with your local vet.

2. Keep them in a familiar secure room

Keeping your beloved pet in a safe and secure room is important for two reasons. Firstly, by doing so, it will keep them from running away. Secondly, trying to select a room that will muffle the outside noise and to surround pets with familiar and cheering items can keep them comfortable. Turning on your television or playing music can also assist to drown out the noise. Keep the curtains drawn to prevent animals from attempting to escape through glass panes.

3. Distract them

You can keep a selection of healthy treats to use as a distraction while the fireworks are being let off.

4. Encourage hydration

Fear makes animals pant, and despite the fact they might want to hide and avoid the water bowl, make sure your frightened pet stays hydrated by keeping their food and water bowls nearby.

5. Don’t leave windows open

Leaving windows open, even with secure screens, is not safe, a cat or small dog may be able to escape in a panic. Since animals have very sensitive ears and noses, the noise and the burning scent of fireworks can be distressing. It is recommended to keep windows closed, and use a fan to cool the room if necessary.

6. Check name tags/ discs and microchips

Ensure that your pets have name tags with important details such as updated phone numbers and addresses, so someone can get back them to you if it happens that they run away. If your pets are micro-chipped, it is vital to make sure that the information associated with the chip is up to date.

• Sources:
1. Animal Welfare Society of South Africa

2. Whiskas

3. Pedigree