Cape Town, 11 December 2024 – Excruciatingly loud bangs and blinding flashes from the middle of nowhere. This is how cats and dogs are experiencing fireworks, which they often perceive as threats. While most humans are enjoying the New Year’s Eve festivities, animals are terrified, some are even running away in panic, which can lead to fatal accidents and life-threatening situations on the streets. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS calls for banning fireworks and firecrackers from the festivities and provides useful tips for pet owners, how to best support their cats and dogs.

The hearing of dogs and cats is three to four times better than that of humans. “Fireworks and firecrackers are putting pets and wild animals under immense distress. The sounds of fireworks are very painful for cats and dogs, whose hearing is much more sensitive. Watch out for stress symptoms like rapid breathing, increased salivation, diarrhoea or loss of orientation. Many animal lovers are not aware that their loud celebrations are causing deep agony for animals. We urgently need a ban of fireworks and firecrackers to stop their suffering,” says Nick Weston, Head of Companion Animal Campaigns at FOUR PAWS.

Here are four tips on how to help your cat and dog get through the New Year’s Eve festivities:

1. Socialise your dog with the noise

“Well socialised dogs can cope much better with unfamiliar situations,” explains Weston. Dog owners can help prevent the fear of fireworks by gradually socialising their dogs with different stimuli, situations and noises when still a puppy. Also desensitising by playing fireworks noises several weeks or months ahead can help dogs to cope better. Owners can use YouTube videos, for example, and start to play the noises quietly at first and then gradually increase the volume over time. “Observe closely how your pet reacts and stop immediately if it shows signs of stress,” adds Nick Weston.  

2. Go for walks when it is quiet

“When taking a walk around New Year’s Eve pick a time of the day and an area where it is relatively quiet, such as forests for example. Put your dogs on the leash to make sure they don’t run away. In case your dog panics easily, also a second safety leash attached to your hip can be helpful. We highly recommend to put a medallion with your phone number on your dogs, so you can be reunited in case they get lost,” says Weston. FOUR PAWS also strongly recommends owners of cats and dogs to microchip and register their pets, so they can be identified in the event of getting lost.

3. Create a safe space at home

During fireworks dogs and cats should stay at home. To avoid that cats run off, owners should close the cat flap. “Try to create a safe space for your pets. Close the curtains and put on calming music to minimise the noise,” says Weston. “Make sure your cats and dogs can retreat to as many hiding places as possible in case of stress. Stay with your animals to comfort them in this difficult situation,” he adds. 

3. Play, pheromones and special jackets can help reduce stress

Owners should try to keep their furry friends in a good mood by playing their favourite games for example. To overcome light stress, favourite food or treats can be given to evolve positive emotions. Also offering them their favourite treats can help to overcome light stress. Pheromones can also help to reduce stress in cats and dogs. For dogs, so-called “calming shirts”, which exert gentle pressure on the ribcage can have a soothing effect.

Here you can find more information on how to minimise your pet’s stress. 

/ENDS