Hampshire residents urged to prepare pets for New Year's Eve fireworks

Vet charity PDSA is urging owners to take preventive action – especially those who took on a pet during the pandemic – in a bid to reduce the extreme distress and suffering that fireworks can cause for many of our four-legged friends.

Our pets’ enhanced senses mean they can find the loud noises and bright flashes from fireworks overwhelming, which can lead to severe anxiety and trauma.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “The firework season may be an especially difficult time for pups who were raised during lockdown – our 2021 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report shows that 15 per cent of UK dogs (139,000) obtained during the pandemic are showing signs of fear.

"One well recognised fear in dogs is noise phobias, and our previous research reports that 40 per cent of dogs are afraid of fireworks.

"Of those dogs owned before the pandemic, our research revealed three per cent of dogs (260,000) were reported as showing signs of fear, so it’s unknown what the impact will be come New Year."

The earlier you can start your pre-fireworks prep, the better. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, and pair these with their favourite treat.

Secure your home and garden in advance, as fearful furry friends may panic and scarper. Ensure any ‘escape routes’ – such as holes in fences – are inaccessible.

Keep doors, windows and cat flaps closed to keep everyone safe, and pull the curtains to help muffle the sounds as well as block the flashes.

Create a ‘den’ in a quiet room or cupboard, which your pet can use as a safe space to hide in. It’s important that your pet already views this space as a safe place that they can escape to. Make it extra cosy with blankets and their favourite toys and treats, and add pillows or cushions to help absorb the loud noises.

You can also do the same to hutches for smaller four-legged friends.

For more information on how to prepare your pet for New Year's Eve and to download PDSA’s free Firework Guide, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworks2021.