Hello, my name is Catherine. I have long loved animals and have had several of my own over the years. Sadly, I saw two of my cats suffer with feline cancer, one of my dogs had arthritis, and, of course, we faced the usual calamities and injuries pets often face. However, I have had to navigate this on a relatively restricted budget, and through the years, I have gotten quite proficient at that. I work at a library and love doing research on pets and veterinary care as well as a range of other topics. I also love to write so decided to put my info in a blog. Please, explore and enjoy!
Keeping Your animals Healthy and Happy Without Overspending
Happy New Year! Stress-Free Celebrations For Your Pets
Ellen Lampi
New Year celebrations are undoubtedly great fun for you and for your family, but your pets might not be quite so enamoured with the cracks, flashes and bangs of midnight fireworks. But how can your vet help? Read on to find out more.
Preparation
The key to a stress-free New Year for your pets is to prepare in good time. Your vet may be able to provide you with a number of options to help your pet to cope with the stress that loud noises can cause.
Noise phobia CDs
Specially designed noise phobia CDs can be used to gradually desensitise your pets to loud noises like fireworks. The CDs contain a low level background track of firework noises. Play the CD at a low volume daily for a period of a few weeks to gradually acclimatise your pet to the sounds.
Calming food supplements
There are a number of food supplements that can be recommended by your vet to help calm your pet. These supplements contain natural, herbal ingredients that work by de-stressing your pet and generally leaving them feeling more "chilled out". The supplements come in chewable tablet form, or as drops and sprays that can be added to your pet's food. For maximum effect, begin feeding calming supplements some time before New Year to allow the pet's body to adjust.
Calming pheromones
Pheromone products are extremely effective for relieving stress and anxiety in both cats and dogs. They come in spray form, as well as plug-ins, and collars for dogs.
Pheromones are scents that are secreted naturally by animals as a form of communication, rather like a sort of "text message" to other animals. Pheromones help to pass on information. For example cats mark their territory by rubbing their faces on items of furniture in your home. This act deposits pheromones from glands in the cat's cheeks and helps to reinforce his security in his environment. Pheromones can also be used to transmit a safety and comfort vibe, and that's how veterinary pheromone sprays can work in your home.
Pheromones are most effective when started a few weeks prior to the fireworks. This gives your pet a chance to become happy and secure within the "safety zone" provided by the pheromones, so that the flashes, bangs and whizzes aren't nearly as frightening for him.
A useful tip is to create a safe "den" for your dog or cat, where they can hide and feel safe. Spray the den liberally with calming pheromone spray to provide a comfort zone to which your pet can retreat when the fireworks begin.
In conclusion
New Year celebrations and fireworks can be a traumatic time for animals. Have a chat with your vet for advice on how to prepare your pets and make their New Year as stress-free as possible.
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