Fireworks

giantmutantbroccoli

Does anyone have any ideas on how to introduce a young cat to her first Bonfire night? I'll be keeping her indoors but I'd like to stop her from panicking. She's experienced loud noises (shooting) before but her reaction to all things even vaguely scary is to hide under the sofa. She's just reached the point where she'll stay put on my lap if something makes a loud noise, but she still runs out of the kitchen if I open the fridge door. I'm looking more for ways of reassuring/rewarding her than for chemical/herbal methods like feliway.
My last cat used to scrabble all over the window trying to catch the fireworks! I'm hoping Teddy will grow out of being so skittish.

eamon

Check out the link below. This is one of the better ideas from the last gov and it works as I have noticed the difference. The key thing is the huge fines metted out to shops.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/Escapingandrecoveringfromafire/DG_064665

sleepystar1975

charliebobs wrote: »

What's DAP?

DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Pheramone, it comes as either a spray, a preimpregnated collar or a plug in room infuser (like the plug in air fresheners), which releases a synthetic hormone similar to that which a whelping female dog produces.


Copied and pasted from a site I've used for supplies

Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) Diffuser helps dogs overcome fears and stress, and eases the fear of travel. Plugs into an electric socket (for best results, change diffuser every four weeks), mimicing the natural pheromone produced by lactating females, which promote a sense of well-being and reassurance. Pheromones are species-specific and have no effect on cats. Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) Diffuser is also odourless to humans.

Undesirable behaviors such as excessive whining and barking, and adult destructive chewing

It's not alway successful, but I have nothing but praise for it for old nervous old boy!

sleepystar1975

sleepystar1975 wrote: »

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

I said I'd be back if the site came good. I ordered in the small hours of Monday morning, and Postie was on the door with it at 10am this morning!

The refil cost £13.97 (£25.17 for 2 and £18.85 for the plug and refill)

The first order is free postage, and it's permanent free postage for orders over £39.

The site is www.medicanimal.com

Hope it proves useful for someone:)

wilykit

I agree with others and think Fireworks shouldn't be sold to the public and should be at organised displays only.

I have had my EBT for 9 months and my ABD for 3 months so do not know how they will react. I suspected that my EBT wouldn't be too fussed and that my ABD would be the one that was frightened.

Took her for a walk on Sunday night and some numpty let a firework off and it was really close. She started barking and panicking and was on edge for the full walk (we were out about 45 mins). Even when we got home she was a bit skitty - I can't describe it, but she wasn't her usual self.

Usually on a night the TV is on and my parrot is talking and chittering away so I don't think she will be too fussed.

I feel mean not talking her for a walk but on 5th November she will not be going out!!

Stupid fireworks!!

AnthonyUK

wilykit wrote: »

I agree with others and think Fireworks shouldn't be sold to the public and should be at organised displays only.

I have had my EBT for 9 months and my ABD for 3 months so do not know how they will react. I suspected that my EBT wouldn't be too fussed and that my ABD would be the one that was frightened.

Took her for a walk on Sunday night and some numpty let a firework off and it was really close. She started barking and panicking and was on edge for the full walk (we were out about 45 mins). Even when we got home she was a bit skitty - I can't describe it, but she wasn't her usual self.

Usually on a night the TV is on and my parrot is talking and chittering away so I don't think she will be too fussed.

I feel mean not talking her for a walk but on 5th November she will not be going out!!

Stupid fireworks!!

You are a spoilsport!

wilykit

Why am I a spoilsport?

I am not saying ban fireworks but they get into the wrong hands and I have had kids setting them off near mine and my neighbours cars. Just look at how many people injure themselves or how many poor animals are maimed by somebody who thinks its hilarious to strap a firework to it.

I am all fore public displays. They look better than cheapo ones anyways.

As for not letting my dog out - that is because for the rest of the night she was on edge and it was not nice to see.

AnthonyUK

wilykit wrote: »

Why am I a spoilsport?

I am not saying ban fireworks but they get into the wrong hands and I have had kids setting them off near mine and my neighbours cars. Just look at how many people injure themselves or how many poor animals are maimed by somebody who thinks its hilarious to strap a firework to it.

I am all fore public displays. They look better than cheapo ones anyways.

As for not letting my dog out - that is because for the rest of the night she was on edge and it was not nice to see.

Well why should people have to go to displays because idiots misuse them? I have no probs with people setting off at home properly(this shouldn't be stopped),and if you ban the sale of fireworks people will still get them via blackmarket traders albeit more dangerous and more lethal that can kill and burn users and spectators-do you want that on your conscience knowing full well what can happen if this was to go ahead? I'll bet so.

zaksmum

AnthonyUK wrote: »

You are a spoilsport!

Wilykit is NOT a spoilsport...she is merely taking the best possible care of her dog in a situation that terrifies the poor thing.

Fireworks really are a nuisance to pet owners. I've tried everything for my dogs and nothing helps to calm them, so I stay with them and reassure them as much as I can.

Lucy's the worst, she shakes with fear and tucks her tail between her legs, and all her fur is up. Jack's better but still very frightened.

I'd be more than happy to see fireworks banned altogether.

AnthonyUK

zaksmum wrote: »

Wilykit is NOT a spoilsport...she is merely taking the best possible care of her dog in a situation that terrifies the poor thing.

Fireworks really are a nuisance to pet owners. I've tried everything for my dogs and nothing helps to calm them, so I stay with them and reassure them as much as I can.

Lucy's the worst, she shakes with fear and tucks her tail between her legs, and all her fur is up. Jack's better but still very frightened.

I'd be more than happy to see fireworks banned altogether.

Like I say ban them and people will merely go to the blackmarket for unknown origin import fireworks and the result being more injuries! You can't win! Their safety and performance may be more suspect as well leading to the injuries.