News Archive:
Loud noises and
fireworks effects on pets
At some time time of year, anyone living in a built-up area or even on the Sunshine Coast will be familiar with hearing the bangs, squeals and whooshes of fireworks. This can be irritating enough for humans who are sensitive to noise, but for animals, with their hypersensitive hearing, it can be terrifying.
Fireworks upset many animals. Most pets are only mildly affected. Does your dog like loud noises or even thunder? When they hear a banger nearby, they jump up, bark a few times, run around the room then settle down again. If there is an evening full of fireworks noises, they do settle down eventually, learning to ignore the noises.
Unfortunately a minority of dogs have developed a serious phobia about fireworks, and they have an exaggerated, hysterical reaction to these sounds. During this time animal hospitals receive many queries from owners of pets that are being driven demented by fireworks in the evenings.The poor animals shiver and whine at the first sound of a firework in the distance, and as the evening goes on, they race around the house in terror. They try to clamber into cupboards, they run from room to room looking for somewhere to hide, and they generally become highly distressed.
There are two main factors involved in the development of this type of phobia. Firstly, the genetic make-up of the animal, and secondly, the effect of bad experiences on the growing dog. The genetic effect is very strong. Some breeds of dog are so docile that if a gun were fired in the same room, they would turn, raise an eyebrow, and look away again, unruffled. Other breeds are referred to as "reactive": dogs such as Collie types and German Shepherds tend to react strongly to any external event, whether it is a visitor ringing the doorbell, or a banger going off in the distance.
The environmental effect is also critical. If a puppy never experiences fireworks noises, it is very likely to be frightened of them when it first hears them as an adult dog.
If a genetically sensitive type of dog is treated carefully as a young animal, it is possible to specifically create a tolerance to fireworks. You can buy compact discs (CDs) with specially designed soundtracks of fireworks. You need to start this type of sound exposure from as young an age as possible. You start with the volume turned down low, and gradually increase the volume as the pup gets used to the sounds. Eventually, you can play the fireworks noises at full volume, and the young dog should not be upset by this (although your neighbours will certainly wonder what you are up to!).
You can also buy CDs of traffic noise and thunderstorms - it would be useful if all dogs grew up to be comfortable with all of these noises. Phobias develop when an young adult has never heard a noisy firework before. The dog experiences an unexpected loud fireworks sound while it is out on a walk in the park, or it may be trapped alone in the house. The poor animal panics, and from that point on, it associates fireworks noises with extreme fear. For these animals, it is still possible to use the CD to accustomise them to fireworks noises.
But what can be done to help them right now? Sedatives from the vet are the obvious answer, although these need to be used carefully. Any sedative can be dangerous, so animals do need to be checked by the vet to make sure that they do not have a hidden problem such as heart disease. Sedatives may have the effect of physically doping the animal, while they remain terrified inside their slowed-down body, unable to move. It is important to take other steps, as well as sedating your pet, to make sure that they are truly comfortable.
Most importantly, give your pet a safe, secure den to hide in. The den should be dark and soundproofed. The cupboard under the stairs may be ideal. You should play loud music in the den, to drown out any sounds of fireworks. Place lots of blankets or towels in the den, so that your pet can bury himself beneath them. An old unwashed jersey or sweatshirt of your own would be useful, to give your pet an awareness that your reassuring presence is close by. Get your pet used to the den in the weeks running up to the noisy season; give him treats and toys in the den so that he likes being there.
Finally, a new product, available from vets, will help all fearful dogs. A device has been launched that is similar to a plug-in room deodouriser. Instead of a pleasant smell, the device emits a vapour containing Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP). This is a synthetic form of a chemical that is naturally secreted from the mammary glands of a lactating bitch. The scent (undetectable to humans) has a reassuring, comforting effect on dogs, and can help to reduce anxiety in all situations, including fear of fireworks.
