Vet warns on animal fear of fireworks

An Albany vet is warning pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this festive season, especially events celebrated with fireworks.

It can be common for dogs to become fearful during the loud explosions, often causing them to run away and potentially injure themselves.

Albany Veterinary Hospital’s Malcolm Webb said dogs could react to fireworks and potentially endanger themselves trying to escape the noise.

“From their point of view it’s a burst of very loud sounds and it’s not easy for them to explain where the sound is coming from, I think because it’s unexplained to them and it’s extremely loud they are quite fearful,” he said.

“The frequency of the sound can be quite frightening for the dogs and pets.”

Mr Webb said dogs would quite often become fearful and try to escape.

“It’s their attempts to escape is what’s damaging, they will often injure themselves trying to get out of the yard getting through fly screen and glass doors and fences,” he said.

Mr Webb said there were steps to ensure your four-legged friend was safe during firework celebrations.

“I think the simplest thing you can do regarding fireworks is to remove the dogs from the hazard — take them for a drive or arrange for them to stay somewhere else,” he said.

“It is also great to create a safe place for them — allowing dogs who are normally kept outside to come indoors is another great precaution. If we are with them and reassuring them, distracting them with treats or playing a game — that’s a great way to keep them calm.”

Alternately he said other tools were available such as thunder coats and medication.

“As we lead up to Christmas, it’s really important for people to adopt a very common sense approach with our pets; sure, it’s good to do a few special things for our pets over Christmas but let’s not go overboard,” he said.