Fireworks

RE: Fireworks

Neil, my cats [sm=cat.gif]are very similar, but I have found the best way is to talk to them in a really light manner as if when playing with them and gently re-assure them. They are still nervous but i think they know they are safe. Also having the TV quite loud helps.
My heart goes out to all the other animals who are left outside by uncaring owners. I always think of them and around this time of year always get my boys in as early as possible. Good luck

RE: Fireworks

Oh Neil...
I know just what you mean....love this time of year....hate fireworks and so do our dogs...one in particular and like you we have tried just about everthing we can think of, including ingnoring the bangs (well trying to) they echo around the area and sound just like cars crashing, and each year its getting worse....so if anyone does have some bright idea's on how to help these poor animals...please, please do enlighten us.

luv & peace
stormdeva x

RE: Fireworks

Hi everyone,

I don't know if this is the right advice, but last year my two Devon Rex kittens were very freaked out by the bangs. But I opened the curtains so they could see the fireworks and they were much calmer after that. It was as if they could then relate the bangs to the lights and because they could see they were outside they knew the bangs weren't going to hurt them. They even sat on the windowsill to watch! I have a friend who has two Cornish Rexes and they like to sit on the windowsill to watch the fireworks too. Maybe it's just rexes!

RE: Fireworks

Hello Neil,

I am not a pet owner (allergic) but animals fear what they cannot see. Perhaps Lucy's idea of letting your dear pets watch the fireworks might help. Quite honestly, I don't know why fireworks are on sale so early, November 5 (or Hallowe'en for we pagans) isn't for ages yet, but explosives are in the shops already. Tch![sm=soapbox.gif]

Enjoy your fireworks!

Blessings, Pats.

RE: Fireworks

Hi Pats,

Just a little thing - I too am allergic to most animals, including cats, but I am fine with my lovely devon rexes and cornish rexes also. It's because their fur is different from normal cats. Some people are still allergic to them, but if you would really like pets then meeting a rex to see if you are ok with it might be the solution. I so wanted cats and was overjoyed when I realised I was fine with rexes.

RE: Fireworks

Hi

I have 4 cats and they hate fireworks, what really annoys me is they seem to be sold earlier and earlier we were hearing them from the beginning of Sept and it continues now.

I really think something should be done, I would like a ban so only organised shows could get hold of them so people could take their kids along. I would be happier if they were not sold to the general public, that way all the animals would not have to be upset by them for more than one weekend.

Sue
x

RE: Fireworks

Hi
I have 4 cats (recently lost two 🙁 ) and one dog, previously I have had numerous animals this wont help for people with older animals but I do find that if you play with ballons etc when they are very small and they pop they get used to loud bangs and as such have never had a problem, also must say living with a toddler must make animals brave!!!!!

Hugs
T

RE: Fireworks

Hello Massagemonkey,

Thank you for the tip on Devon and Cornish Rexes. I might just look into the possibility of owning one if I'm not affected by them. It is such a shame, I love cats and dogs, but prefer cats. I have a hamster and I am not allergic to her fur. Animals are truly our best friends.

Fireworks are being sold earlier and earlier in the year, and there is a shop where I live, which sells them all the year round. They are okay when in the hands of responsible people, but children get hold of them and that's when the mayhem starts. Not all children do it, but some do. It is frightening for humans as well as animals, I think.

Blessings, Pats.
[&:]

RE: Fireworks

Hi All
My little Bonnie dog really doesn't like fireworks at all. It really pains me to see her so upset. I have tried everything but to no avail. I have even tried opening up the curtains like massagemonkey suggested. Bonnie loves to play with ballons, she goes absolutly mad at Christmas when we put them up! She sits there looking at them all expectant. I don't really know what to do, there is no consoling her. The vet suggested trnquilisers, but I don't like the sound of them. However if it is the only thing that stops her being so frightened maybe it is a good idea. What do you guys think?
Netty xx

RE: Fireworks

Thanks for your replies so far.

I agree with you Mystic that firewors should be banned apart from at official displays on bonfire night only.

We have tried the open curtains job and taken him outside to see them, but nothing works. It seems to me that it isn't even necessarily the bang, but the vibration of it.

Netty, I agree with you on that one. However destressing it is to see my dog upset I am not prepared to stick chemicals in him in the form of tranquilisers.

I do feel there's a way round it, I just haven't found it yet.

Love

RE: Fireworks

Hi Netty,

I just remembered something else. Someone else told me they had a dog who was really disturbed by something (can't quite remember what, might have been fireworks) and tranquilisers had been suggested. Vague recollection of what happened next but the outcome was that Reiki helped, and the dog really calmed down and wasn't upset anymore. Maybe you know someone who could Reiki your dog nearer the time?

RE: Fireworks

Hi!
Has anyone tried any homeopathic remedies for scared pets??
Ive heard one lady say that they work for her dogs arthritis.
Just a thought!
Tx

RE: Fireworks

Hi
Yes Fireworks mmmmmm
We have someone living close to us that I am sure has shares in the firework trade. You name the occation, they will let off fireworks for it. Besides that fact that it spoils it for the kids when the BIG NIGHT does come round, it drives all the dogs mad here. I have tried homoeopathic remedies for my dog. I am not quite sure if it has worked or not as she still barks when the fireworks go off. But now it is more of a 'look mum fireworks' rather than a 'OMG......what the hell was that!!!'
All I can suggest is that if all else fails, give the homoeopathic treatment a try, its better that pumping your dog full of chemicals from the pills that the Vet may give you.

L & L
DC

RE: Fireworks

Thanks for that Massagemonkey.:D
I do know someone that does Reiki I will ask her if she will treat my little bonnie dog. I don't know why I didn't think of that!
How often do you think that she would need to be treated?
Netty

RE: Fireworks

Hi Netty,

Sorry I don't know how often your pooch would need to be treated, it was just a vague recollection I had. The Reiki person will hopefully be able to advise you. I hope you find something that works soon, the fireworks are getting worse where we are anyway, but our cats don't seem bothered any more. I hope you get the same result.

Lucy

RE: Fireworks

Thanks again Lucy.
I have asked one of the girls at work and she said that she would be delighted to treat her. It is going to be an experience for har too as she hasn't treated an animal before!
I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Netty.

RE: Fireworks

Hi Neil,

[:@][:@][:@][:@]I agrree with you, fireworks are nothing but a pain in the backside to animals. Why don't people who live near or next door to someone with animals think? Even some the owners of animals who set of fireworks are often irresponsible as they let their animals run around chasing the firework for a laugh[:@][:@][:@][:@]

Personally I think they should be banned from public sale and only be sold to public display companies, as this would limit the accidents that happen and it would be a controlled situation. Personally I do not ever have fireworks as it send my dogs, Merlin in particular climbing the walls and terrifies him. Codey is not too bad but even she does not like them. I do not see why our animals should suffer because we as a species can not be responsible enough to think about how the nights activities will affect them. Sorry if I've gone on abit but fireworks really tick me off!!!!!!!

RE: Fireworks

The dog we are fostering at the moment absolutly hates fireworks. We've made her a little 'den' between the sofas and she sits in there all night whilst we are watching the tele. Shes getting alot better with them. Ive also been trying a different approach.....

I was thinking with a dog, maybe you could do some clicker training with them? So they associate the bang with something nice. Everytime a firework goes off, I make a click noise (I dont always have the clicker to hand) and give her a treat (which she loves and doesnt get at any time other than when a firework goes off). She now associates the loud bang (which still startles her) with a yummy treat so will come over to me, sit and wait for the treat. Its been working slowly but I think with a bit more work she'll come round!

Dont think you could do it with cats, will have to think of another way for them!