TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CAT OR DOG HAPPY & SAFE THIS BONFIRE NIGHT

Bonfire Night may be one of our favourite times of year, but for our fluffy friends, the 5th of November is marked on their calendars.

Our companions are often scared and distressed by loud bangs and flashing lights outside, so here are some tips to keep them happy and comfortable during your celebrations.



1: KEEP THEM INSIDE

The most obvious tip on this list is to keep your pet indoors on Bonfire Night. Being in the comfort of their own home is already a big help and being close to their favourite humans helps too.

Sometimes, the sudden noises cause animals to spook, so make sure doors and windows are all closed, and cat-flaps locked to prevent escape.



2: SET UP A SAFE SPACE

Preparing a calm space for your pet to retreat to is very important. Maybe choose their favourite room in the house, or a spot they love to hang out. Leave out food and water here, so that they can eat and drink without having to leave their comfort zone.

Make sure to leave door inside your house open, so your pet has the option to move to a different spot if they need to.

Under the bed, in the hallway or under a table draped with a cloth are great spots, as these are lower-noise areas of your house.

(For a cat, you can’t ever go wrong with a good old fashioned cardboard box! Especially if you pop in a blanket :-)



3: KEEP THE LIGHTING AT A STEADY LEVEL

Most people are understandably the most concerned about noise on Bonfire Night, but what about the effects of bright, flashing lights?

Draw curtains and lower blinds wherever possible, and either let the room darken naturally as the night goes on or put a lamp on for your companion.



4. PROVIDE SOME ENTERTAINMENT/DISTRACTION

Giving your pet something to focus on other than the loud bangs & crackles is a great way to help them stay calm.

For dogs, a long-lasting chew is a good option, as this provides a distraction for much of the night.

Cats are usually happy when left to their own devices. Leaving out some catnip filled toys is a good idea, just in case they need something to keep them busy.



5. GIVE THEM SOMETHING NICER TO LISTEN TO

We all know that dogs & cats have much more sensitive hearing than us, so providing them with something soothing to listen to can be a big help.

This could be classical music or sounds specifically designed to keep pets calm.



Or it could just be as simple as leaving the radio or TV on, to help drown out the scary sounds outside.



6. CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PRODUCTS BELOW THAT MAY HELP TO KEEP YOUR PET HAPPY

Feliway Classic Calming Diffuser for cats:
https://www.feliway.com/uk/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser

Adaptil Calming Diffuser for dogs:
https://www.adaptil.com/uk/Products/ADAPTIL-Calm-Home-Diffuser

Bach Rescue Remedy for pets:
https://www.rescueremedy.com/en-us/range/all-products/rescue-remedy-pet/
(Suitable for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rabbits & lizards!)

Kong Classic Dog Toy:
https://www.kongcompany.com/kong-classic
This can be stuffed with treats or dog-safe peanut butter! It will help to keep your dog occupied.

Kong Classic Cat Toy:
https://www.kongcompany.com/cat/essentials/kitty-kong
This one could be stuffed with your cats favourite treats!

The Kong website is full of a variety of puzzles and toys for your furry friends, be sure to have a look at their full range:
https://www.kongcompany.com/