Fireworks

Mupette

That's it Felway for cats.

knew i would remember it at some point.

Although Gizmo likes to go out when it's on and sonic them down... doesn't work

sleepystar1975

AAARGH!! Just made out a big essay, then the wireless connection dropped, and
the computer lost the lot!!
　
Our old dog used to be great with fireworks, he'd even do his best to get out into the garden, or sit in the window to watch them. But then one year, some [insert your own words!] let off an army style thunderflash in a garden near us, it was so loud, it shook the fixtures in the steel window frames! The old boy was in the garden having a wee, and came in so quick, he was still peeing.
Ever since then, the first pop of a firework, or hint of rain make him fall to pieces (He sees rain as a start of a thunderstorm). He paces, pants and slathers, whines, tries to cram himself into impossible gaps, or climbs anything and everything. I still have scars all over from being scratched to pieces from unexpected fireworks on the Queens golden jubilee.
We were back and forth to the vets trying anything they could give us. We tried all the natural and homeopathic treatments too. We tried lights on, lights off, sone silence, blaring music. Fussing him, ignoring him. Some of the prescription stuff would knock him out on the outside, but you could still see his heart pounding in his chest on the inside. He's been on quantites of diazepam that'd knock me out (and I'm no lightweight) but stil nothing would calm the poor boy down.
Then the vet recommended the DAP. I am ever the cynic, and thought how is a glorified airfreshener going to work where strong drugs don't, but wanting to try anything, I forked out the £40 for the kit, and plugged it in. WOW, one week was all it took, we were hit by a humdinger of a thunder storm, the old fella got up, went to his bowl and ate his own body weight in food, huffed, sniffed his bits and flopped back into his bed!!!
Even if the Vet recommended another product tomorrow, I wouldn't consider changing, he's is so chilled, but without the nasty post-drug hangover.

I still put him into kennels for November 5th, and the nearest weekend, just to avoid the worst of the fireworks. The kennels we use is so far out in the middle of nowhere, they have never heard a firework there.Although I miss the old boy terribly while he's away, I feel so much better knowing he's having a whale of a time there (The kennels is 12 miles away, one mile into the journey, he knows where we are going, and gets terribly excited, he loves it there...mind, they've soiled him rotten since his first visit, they even took him in their house when he was the only dog booked in)

I've been forking out £20 a month at the vet for his refils, but tonight, I found a website that does them for just over £13. So I have ordered 2 at that price. I also ordered a herbal spray to try, as the plug-in is downstairs, and at night, he sleeps in my room (the DAP collar is no good for him, as it made him itch!), but someone also gave me the great suggestion of dabbing a tiny bit of the refil on an old facecloth and leaving it in his upstairs bed, which is something I will try. The herbal spray this month, comes with a free "Noises" CD. I only ordered tonight, so have no opinion of this site yet, but if they are any good, I'll pop back with the details (I don't want to make a fool of myself and say they are great based on their prices, then they let all of us down on delivery!)

Back on to the herbal suggestions, my Mums little Cocker Spaniel is very nervy with fireworks too. He responds well to the vitamins Vetiver and Valerian (Sorry if I spelt those wrong). They did nothing for our old boy, but they are excellent for Mums little man.

We have now got a new boy in our furry family. He's a 2 year old Dalmatian, but only been with us for a week, he is madder than a bag of badgers, and potty over my 5-year-old daughter (I can see years of mischief from this
partnership!). I have no idea how he'll be with the fireworks, but probably have enough left over supplies from all the options with boy #1 to treat him should he need it. Considering he barks at me for sneezing, I'm not sure what he'll make of the fireworks!

Our guinea pig, the smallest furry baby, is not phased by fireworks at all. Everytime we went out to rescue him from unexpected firework noises, he's sitting at his food bowl as if nothing is happening, as long as he has a full bowl, nothing bothers that boy (Though I still bring him into his indoor hutch in the conservatory for the 5th and the nearest weekend, just for my peace of mind!)

Anyway, best wishes to all of you with furry friends that are reading this. I hope you all find the right remedy for your friends, and that this firework season passes quickly. Big fusses to all the four legged one, from me and my boys.

sleepystar1975

Your poor dog. I have just posted in the firework thread, singing the praises of the DAP infuser.
There is lots of good tips and advice on that thread, I hope you can find something effective for your dog.

Klug

Hi. We have managed so far to partly drown out the noise (well muffle it) by turning the radio or TV up really loud when the fireworks
go off. Our dog still gets a bit jumpy but it does help a bit.
Hope you get sorted, its so unfair on them.

willing2learn_3

I haven't checked out the other links on this thread as it's very late as i type this....but i 'cured' one of my dogs of this phobia. I have a degree in psychology (all be it quite an old one!) and so i've 'treated' previous dogs that i've had. My current dog was 'innoculated' early with the same treatment and has never displayed more than a bit of curiosity about the bangs outside.

All i did was pair the noise (caught on recorder) with something the dog really likes (choc drops). I would start with the quietest noise, volume turned right down and i would also turn on and off after just one firework sound. Immediately give a reward for the sound. This is something that has to be repeated maybe three times a day for a few days so that the dog really learns that these sounds are something you like and give rewards for. Gradually you turn up the volume, until you can have them playing for a longer period of time.

I think it's key not to overload the dog. Don't play it for too long, the dog will be overwhelmed. Rather try to emphasise the fun, the scary noise and lots of reward.

When i didn't have them on tape recorder i used to just whistle like a firework. One of my dogs hated them so much he knew what the whistle mean't and was frightened. LOL! Poor thing.....but gradually he realised that the noise would mean a reward. He was always still a bit jumpy, but it gave him some sense that the noise would potentially mean nice things and that made it easier for him.

I guess you think i'm mad now! :rotfl:

sleepystar1975

Without wanting to sound like an old fart, it is getting earlier and earlier each year, and so irritating for us pet owners.
If they can't limit it to organised displays, then shops should only be allowed to give them out on the 5th itself. So, just for saying, you could go in to the store on Nov 1st, choose and pay for your box of fireworks, but be issued a voucher, which you return to the store on the 5th, and redeem for your fireworks.
That way it limits it to the one night (well, ok, I suppose folk may still let them off after the 5th too, but it stops those letting them off in October!)
My local Asda had a firework display last year, to "Celebrate" children-in-need. The event however, was held in the middle of October, nowhere near the Children-in-need date. Our old dog was in bits (This was pre-DAP), I had no pre-warning to give him his meds', and when I complained on Facebook, all the Mums just had a go at me for being such a fuddy-duddy/spoilsport etc. (I am a Mum of a 5 year old girl too, so now how much she enjoys them, but she also hates seeing her dog upset!) When I complained to Asda, I was told that the store had put posters round the store for days.....only useful if you shop there! I said, I still get flyers and mailings for their Mother and baby events, so why not post them for their "scare all the local pets" events too, as that would be more useful to me than saving 50p on babywipes!

loulou123

Have tried everything with my cat who is terrified of any loud noise and especially fireworks, over the years ive tried: the noise cds (she also seemed to realise they werent real!) felliway spray and plug in, zylekene, serenum, this year im trying valerian and skullcap (a special animal one from the vets) so we'll see how that goes.

I hate this time of year, its so unfair on all the animals : (

hethmar

Considering how dangerous fireworks are, you would think the "elf and safety" mob would have banned them (I mean conkers are banned now arent they!) and just have organised public displays. Its ridiculous that it goes on for weeks before and after November 5th and now there seems to be a fashion for letting off fireworks at parties too.

Once a year we could cope with, telly on, plenty of background noise and lots of treats but night after night and often the screaming type ones going off just as you are walking the dogs One of mine takes no notice at all of them, but Ralph is constantly listening out for them for weeks after they finally stop.

LilacLouisa

Our recently deceased (and very much missed) boy Mac was terrified of fireworks. This got worse and worse as he got older. We tried all sorts of things such making a tent for him to get into, v loud music in every room and a DAP thing etc but to no avail

He became so terrified he would rake up the carpets and try to claw through the floorboards etc. It was extremely distressing for us too. I finally asked the vet to prescribe a sedative for him, it worked very well and I cursed myself for not trying sooner.

Of course, as mentioned above, these days it isn`t just bonfire night nor even nights at weekends before and after that people let off fireworks. However, we did find that his fear and agitation was a lot less after he had been taking the tranqs.

chris_n_tj

loulou123 wrote: »

Have tried everything with my cat who is terrified of any loud noise and especially fireworks, over the years ive tried: the noise cds (she also seemed to realise they werent real!) felliway spray and plug in, zylekene, serenum, this year im trying valerian and skullcap (a special animal one from the vets) so we'll see how that goes.

I hate this time of year, its so unfair on all the animals : (

We tried valerian and skullcap which we got from dowwest herbs ( they sell pet herbs and are reasonable and things arrive quick)

Anyway it made TJ too zombied out. We used the lowest dose as well. Just thought I would warn you so you dont freak out lol.

As for the CD TJ was the same, he knew it wasnt real.

I wish you have a very quiet washed out bonfire night xx.

Chris n TJ