New Years Eve Reminder..

While everyone is preparing to ring in the New Year make sure you have a Pet Plan in place. Many dogs are scared of the loud boom and the bright flashes of light. They tend to be very nervous and some even require medication in order to tolerate the scary noises. If you have outside pets you may want to consider bringing them inside and putting them in a safe place. Perhaps you have a spare room or a garage where the animal can be kept so they do not try and run away. Many pets go missing this time of year because their owners did not take proper precautions. While we enjoy the festivities our pet companions feel the need to get as far away as possible. We call this a "Flight Risk." It would be a terrible end to an evening of celebration if you suddenly realized you beloved pooch was missing!

Here are some very helpful tips:

Dog Fireworks Fear Symptoms

A few signs that your canine is scared of fireworks include:

• inability to eat,
• shaking or trembling,
• pacing or restlessness,
• seeking close proximity to the owner,
• shelter seeking (to hide),
• excessive salivation,
• heavy panting,
• increased yawning,
• fear positioning (tail tucked, ears back, cringing),
• destructive behavior (chewing or scratching),
• self-mutilation (nervous chewing or licking),
• loss of bladder or bowel control,
• anal gland discharge,
• vomiting,
• stress related vocalizations (whining, howling, barking),
• attempts to escape (bolting or running blindly).

What you can do to help:

Keep your animals primarily inside during firework displays and for a few days to a week prior to and just after the holiday.

Make sure you have a tag with current information on your pet during this time.

If you take your animal outside for toileting or any other activity, make sure they are under physical restraint via a collar and leash.

 

Leave your pets safely at home instead of taking them to picnics or other holiday events.

 

Play music or turn on a radio station with soothing music to help mask outside noises.

Visit your veterinary medical professional and ask for aids such as melatonin. This oral neurohormone often provides help for sensitive animals. Use with the veterinarians dosage recommendation and don’t try to do it yourself.

Create a safe haven. If your animal is habituated to a crate you may want to provide confinement for security. Other options you may have available include the bathroom, laundry room, garage, basement, or any other “den” area. The room to choose is one where there are no windows to jump through, or where windows can be blocked off and that are too high and narrow to access.

Some animals want to hide and will feel safe in a favorite spot, like under the bed. You can create sleeping bag tunnel or similar option for them.

From all of us here at EBRN:

Have a safe and Happy New Year

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