Fireworks are fun for humans, but pets CAN die of fright

If the threat of burning isn’t bad enough, our pets must endure hours of loud bangs and whooshes throughout the latter part of the year. Animals are generally not good with loud noises (one of the reasons we like fireworks so much is because they make us jump).

However, we know what is making us jump, and we can reason that the bangs in the night sky will not cause us harm. Unfortunately, a pet does not have this ability to reason, and so it is engulfed in fear, just as it would be during a thunder storm.

Died of fright

Last week the Express and Star wrote of a woman who claims her cat died as a result of being scared by a firework bang. Suzi Kowalski told the paper her cat Spot never recovered from its ordeal, and was eventually put to sleep.

Especially at a time like this, it is important that we consider the feelings and situations of others. Fireworks may be fun, but not everyone is keen on them. If you have purchased loud fireworks you should take it upon yourself to set them off some distance away from neighbours. And at the very least you should give your neighbours fair warning.

Pet owners, take heed

If you own a pet, try to take the following precautions to ensure your dog or cat survives the worst of the noise:

• Keep your pet indoors on noisy nights 
• Walk them in daylight hours when the threat of fireworks is less
• Close windows and curtains at night 
• Play music (soothing but quite loud) to try to muffle the sound 
• Create a quiet place or a hiding place for your pet 

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