Today’s article explains why fireworks are so bad for your pets. Many people think that these warnings are aimed at spoiling their year-end fun, but sadly the truth is that fireworks really DO have a terrible effect on all types of animals, from birds to dogs. And I’ve included a couple of real life questions and answers to illustrate my point. So read on and take heed…

End of year means fireworks

The time of the ‘great war’  is looming again. That time when the air is toxic with fear and death and ‘gunpowder’. When little ones shake in terror and run blindly into the streets to escape the explosion of bombs and missiles which claim millions of victims every year. And yet every year we must suffer this trauma and great loss because a few bloody-minded people seem to get pleasure, and no doubt monetary gain, from the misery of others.  How do we explain to terrified animals that it’s the way some humans have fun?

I’m hoping everyone reading these letters, of which I receive many at this time of the year, will step out and  say, “No more  fireworks  on my  street!” …because yes, you really can make a difference.

Question

My German Shepherd, Beth, is 5 years old and was never afraid of fireworks until about 3 years ago when she must have got a fright, because now at the first sound of a bang she goes into another world which is so sad to watch. She starts cowering and panting as if she can’t breathe and won’t eat or drink, sometimes for days while crackers are going off.
It seems she doesn’t even hear my voice because all she does is pace up and down or hide under the bed. It’s so heart breaking to see my beautiful, precious animal reduced to a pathetic, trembling bag of bones.
We have tried all sorts of pills from the vet but she is actually getting worse every year and I just can’t bear to see her like this anymore. Is there anything else I can do?

I am so sad for you and Beth because once our pets have been traumatised like Beth, there really is no cure. The noise of the fireworks going off is the trigger which causes her   response, which is blind terror.
Homeopathic remedies, Rescue drops, turning the radio up full volume, DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromones obtainable at your vet) or sound desensitisation CD’s (Obtainable from your vet) might all help but I am afraid the damage is done.
Beth truly believes she is being pursued by demons, and if put outside will probably take off and keep running till she comes to a tragic end…. and some humans do fireworks for fun?!

Question

I have a Siamese cat who goes AWOL from the beginning of November every year for a few weeks. When she returns home she is thin and scrawny and very nervous. I’m sure it’s the fireworks which upset her as they are particularly bad in my area. Could this be the reason   and how can I help our much loved furry friend?

I’m sure it is the bangs which are terrifying her. She must feel very vulnerable like civilians trapped in a war zone …  just waiting for the next bomb to explode on them.
My guess is your kitty probably finds a ‘bunker’ somewhere where she’s taking shelter until it’s safe to return home. Poor little girl is probably too traumatised to eat or sleep during the ordeal which would explain her poor condition.  Do shower her with TLC and plenty of her favourite food when she returns, but unfortunately, other than move to another neighbourhood, there is very little you can do.

Question

We arrived home the other night to find our house was a wreck and the kitchen looked like a murder scene because there was blood everywhere. We were shocked to find our little terrier Teddy had opened the fridge, pulled all the contents out and wedged himself into the bottom shelf where he was cringing in fright.
There was broken glass and food strewn all over the place and when we got him out he was so badly cut he needed 43 stitches at the vet.  We are lucky the fridge door didn’t close on him or he would have been frozen alive. But, now we’re terrified to leave him on his own because we think he took fright at the firecrackers which were going off in our neighbourhood.  Is there anything we can do to prevent this happening again?

You must make sure Teddy is not left where he can harm himself again but I’m afraid all you can do is provide him with a safe a “bolt-hole” where he’ll be able to hide from the ‘onslaught’. Make sure he has access to a small, dark hiding place like a cupboard or under a bed where he will feel relatively safe.

Question

I have lost several pet  birds over the years for no apparent reason until I put 2 and 2 together and realised they all died at more or less the same time, under mysterious circumstances which  I  suspect is  from shock or  heart attacks.
I’m afraid to get another bird now in case it suffers the same fate, because I think the problem was caused by fireworks. Is this possible?

Absolutely 100% possible and very probable too.  Birds are very sound sensitive and it’s thought that thousands of pet birds and wild birds lose their lives every year during the firework season