The post Five Firework Safety Pet Care Tips appeared first on Vita Animal Health .
]]>Delve into our top tips and tricks to keep your pets safe this bonfire night.
Ensuring that your furry friend is safely indoors during firework displays is essential for their comfort and wellbeing. Keeping pets inside not only prevents them escaping, but also helps to muffle the loud noises created by fireworks.
Try to create a calm and secure environment where they can feel safe. Consider preparing a cosy area with their favourite blankets and toys. -Let your pet pick the spot – behind the sofa, under the table, a covered crate or indoor kennel… Playing some calming music can also help to mask the sound of fireworks and create a more relaxed atmosphere.
For dogs, a long-lasting treat or chew toy can provide a good distraction, and for cats, interactive toys or puzzle feeders may help to keep them occupied. Make sure to stay nearby if you can, as your presence will also offer comfort and reassurance.
Desensitising your dog or cat to loud noises is a good idea but this has to be done well in advance of firework season. Pick a calm and quiet place to carry out firework desensitisation. Start to play an audio recording of fireworks at a very low volume and reward your pet for calm behaviour with a treat , their favourite toy, or just some fuss from you . Increase the volume gradually and remember that each individual will respond differently, so take things at your pet’s pace.
When pets feel scared and stressed, their natural instinct may be to run. Keeping dogs on leads, securing cat flaps and closing doors and windows will help to keep pets safe, but if the unexpected does happen, having your pet microchipped could make the difference between finding them and not. Microchips are a reliable way for vets and charities to identify lost pets and to contact their owners. However, this relies on the microchip having accurate and up-to-date contact information. So, make it a habit to update your contact details any time there’s a change so that you can be reached quickly once your pet is found. Did you know it is also a legal requirement that all UK dogs and cats are microchipped and the contact details are up to date?
Fireworks can be quite frightening for small pets, especially those that are prey animals in the wild, like rabbits and guinea pigs.
So, if you have pets that usually live outside, consider bringing them indoors while the fireworks are going off. Make sure to choose a cool, quiet room to help reduce any stress that they may feel from the sudden change in environment or temperature.
To help them feel secure, create several hiding spots using items like cardboard boxes, tubes or small covered enclosures. Filling these hiding places with bedding can help to muffle the noise and create a sense of comfort.
It’s not just pets at home that can be frightened by fireworks – horses can too. If you are a horse owner, you’ve likely encountered this problem before, but with the right preparation, you can help your horse to feel more secure.
One of the most important things you can do is plan ahead. Knowing in advance when and where local firework displays will take place allows you to prepare properly. Speak with your neighbours and let them know that you have horses and that you need to prepare for firework displays so that so that they can make sure to let you know in advance if they are planning any private displays.
If there’s a fireworks event nearby, consider bringing your horse into their stable. However, if they are used to living out, leaving them in their field may be less stressful, as it avoids the added disruption of a change in environment.
There are also a variety of calming supplements available that may help to ease your horse’s stress. If you know that a display is coming up, you could try giving your horse calming cookies or supplements. Administering these a few hours before and during the fireworks can help to keep your horse relaxed.
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]]>The weather can affect more than just mood, however. So, what can you do to help keep your pet in tip-top condition this winter?
Grit can be harsh on paws, and after a wet, muddy walk it’s easy to miss a small cut or scrape, leaving it irritated and prone to infection. Try to check your dog’s paws after walks, especially if there’s any sign of a problem.
If you notice a shallow cut or scrape, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with plain water and gently pat it dry. Applying an antiseptic wound healing cream for pets, such as Omnimatrix, can help to soothe the area and support skin’s natural healing.
To find out more, check out our blog on wound care in dogs.
With the sun still setting in mid-afternoon, walks in the dark are a necessity for many dog owners. It’s important to keep both your dog and yourself safe by keeping them on lead and picking high visibility clothing, collars and harnesses.
Just like humans, pets with stiff or sore joints can suffer more in cold weather. Our pets are usually pretty stoic and tend to hide the signs, but if you’ve noticed them slowing down, sleeping more or seeming stiff in the mornings, this could be a sign of underlying joint disease.
The good news is there are steps you can take to support them. For pets with joint disease, avoiding slippery surfaces is a must – whether that’s hard floors inside or icy pavements outdoors. Making sure they have a warm place to sleep can also help, and they’ll definitely appreciate it!
You can also support your pet’s joints with a targeted nutritional supplement such as Omnicondro, which contains market-leading concentrations of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy cartilage and antioxidants to support and stabilise collagen.
For maximal joint care and full body support, why not add in Omniomega, our popular omega-3 supplement that helps to support the orthopaedic, neurological, renal and cardiovascular systems.
Dry skin can be another thing we share with our pets in winter. While it may be wet and unpleasant outside, the cold air can still be drying to skin, while central heating can also contribute to skin dehydration. Repeatedly getting paws wet and salty outside can cause irritation too.
While some pets cope well, pets with allergies or sensitive skin can become itchy and uncomfortable as their skin dries out or may develop sore paws in response to grit and salt.
If your pet’s skin seems drier or more irritated than normal, there are some things you can try to help. Rinsing then thoroughly drying paws after walks is vital to wash off any salt. You can also try bathing any irritated areas in a gentle oatmeal bath to soothe sore skin.
Another way to support your pet’s coat and skin is to give them the nutritional support they need to help strengthen their skin barrier, which is essential to keep moisture trapped within the skin. Omega-3s in particular have been shown to support the skin barrier.
To provide your pet with complete skin support, check out Omnicutis. This fast-acting supplement contains market-leading concentrations of Omega-3 in addition to zinc and biotin to promote healthy skin, hair and nails and support your pet’s immune system.
It’s not just paws that get wet in winter. If your dog comes back from their walks with soggy ears, they could be at increased risk of an ear infection. Ear infections can be painful and unpleasant to treat, so prevention is always better than cure. Cleaning dirty ears with a safe, gentle, antibacterial cleaner such as Omniotic can clear wax and debris and help to reduce the risk of infection.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s health this winter, it’s always worth seeing your vet; however, by taking some simple steps at home you can help to keep your pet out of trouble and in tip-top health, ready for the brighter days to come.
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]]>1. Darker nights call for something bright
As the nights draw in and evenings (and early mornings) become darker, keeping pets safe from vehicles and ensuring you can spot them easily is more important than ever. Reflective collars and harnesses can play a major role in keeping your pets safe, while light up collars for dogs take this to the next level. Make sure that whoever walking the dog is also wearing clothes which are highly visible. Off lead exercise is best kept for daylight hours, but a long lead in appropriate areas can help to give your dog more freedom while keeping them safe.
2. Spooky season doesn’t need to be scary: stay safe on Halloween
Halloween can be an exciting time for the whole family, but there are some specific hazards to be aware of. Chocolate toxicity is a common concern so making sure children don’t share their treats with pets is crucial, but it’s also important to make sure they don’t get their paws on other potentially toxic items like glow sticks. If your pet does eat something they shouldn’t, you should speak to your vet as soon as possible to determine if treatment is needed.
Keeping an eye on your pets and being aware of their body language is also vital: while some may enjoy playing dress up, others can become distressed or overwhelmed by costumes or excited children.
Finally, it’s worth keeping cats indoors over Halloween, and keeping your dog on-lead. The noise and commotion of trick or treaters can be frightening and could cause your pet to panic and put themselves in harm’s way.
3. Help your pets manage their firework fears
For many pets, the scariest part of autumn has nothing to do with Halloween. Fireworks can cause anything from mild anxiety to severe distress, but there are some things you can do to help.
First, pets should always be kept indoors or on a lead when fireworks are expected; in addition to the physical danger posed by fireworks, including scavenging of debris, they may also panic in response to the noise.
Secondly, it’s important to take measures to keep them calm at home. Keep windows closed, remain calm yourself and play some background noise, whether it’s soothing music or the TV. Creating a safe space, whether it’s a covered crate, hiding spot under a bed or a den on the sofa, can help to ease many pets’ fears, while distraction with toys and snuffle mats may also help. For some pets, it may be worth discussing calming supplements or even medications with your vet. Longer-term, desensitisation training can help to manage noise phobias.
4. Ticks: the real Halloween monsters
Most active in spring and autumn, ticks are a common parasite of dogs and cats. Risky locations include heathland, woodland, areas with long grass, and places frequented by wildlife and farm animals.
Ticks in the UK can transmit infections like Lyme disease, but usually need to remain on your pet for several hours to do so. You can use parasite products that kill ticks, but these usually take 24-48 hours to kill a tick, so checking your pet after walks and removing ticks as soon as they’re spotted can help to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Sticking to paths and open spaces can help to avoid ticks, but if you live in a high-risk area you may want to discuss repellent products with your vet.
5. A (wasp) sting in the tail
As the warmer weather fades, it’s not just ticks that become more active; wasps also spend more time foraging in the autumn months. Keeping your pet away from fermenting fallen fruit can help them to avoid a nasty sting.
Wasp stings in pets typically cause some mild swelling and discomfort but resolve within a couple of days; however, some pets may show more severe symptoms and require veterinary attention. If your pet is stung in the mouth or throat, has been stung multiple times or shows signs of an allergic reaction like facial swelling or breathing difficulties, you should see a vet urgently.
6. Pumpkin spice or something not so nice…
Autumn flavours are hugely popular, but unfortunately for our pets there are several potentially hazardous items. Common examples of so-called ‘dietary indiscretion’ in autumn include:
7. Seasonal Canine Illness
This relatively rare condition is something to keep on your radar in autumn. Its cause is unknown but it typically affects dogs shortly after walking in woodland between August and November, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, pain and muscle tremors. These symptoms overlap with many other conditions, but if you notice your dog become acutely unwell – especially after a woodland walk – it’s worth seeking urgent veterinary attention.
8. Autumn for arthritics
Finally – and much more commonly – autumn is also the time when many older pets start to struggle more with arthritis. The symptoms of this common condition can be very subtle and are often chalked up to old age, with affected cats and dogs seeming just a little slower or stiffer than usual, or sleeping more and exercising less.
Cold weather and slippery surfaces can see pets start to struggle more, so it’s important to keep an eye on your them and speak to your vet if you suspect there might be something wrong. There are many changes you can make to support your pets’ joints, including avoiding slippery floors, minimising jumping and supporting your pets’ joints with supplements like Omnicondro and Omniomega.
Find out more about arthritis in dogs and cats.
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