5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe This New Years

While celebrating the New Years can be a fun time for us humans, our pets may have a different experience. The loud noise can cause a lot of stress for our four legged friends, which can in turn lead to them either running away, hiding away, or becoming ill from the anxiety.

Don’t let your pet get sick from fear and know how to keep them safe with our top tips below.

1.Keep Pets Inside

Fireworks, parties, large gatherings of people and loud music can all be very stressful and frightening for your pet. If your dog or cat normally spends time outdoors, try keep them inside during New Years to ensure they are kept safe.

If you intend on keeping your pet outside, it’s imperative that they are microchipped and have an ID tag. The microchip will significantly increase your pet’s chances of returning home should they get lost, and the ID Tag will help identify them. Check your pet’s ID tag and make sure it is fitting securely and that the contact details are correct. It is also worth checking that their vaccinations are all up to date too.

2. Create a Safe Den

When the fireworks get a bit much, set up a quiet, comfortable area for them to retreat into. This could be in a bedroom or spare room; the important thing is that is a quiet, safe spot with little foot traffic. Provide a covered crate, which will allow pets to relax in a dark space which should bring comfort for them. Ensure they have a comfortable bed placed inside the crate too.

Make sure they have some chew toys and fresh water, and a cosy blanket or two for warmth.

3. Exercise During the Day

A good way to ensure your pet relaxes through the celebrations is by bringing them on a good long walk or playing with them during the day. This will tire them out, and they will be more likely to sleep through the festivities.

4. Keep Away From Toxic Food

Did you know the majority of veterinary visits over the holidays is due to food related illness? It essential that you never feed your pet any human foods which may be toxic to them.

Foods to avoid feeding your pet are:

• Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs.
• Onions, garlic and chives-consumption of these foods causes gastroenteritis or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Chocolate-Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be lethal to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate and cooking chocolate in particular contain high levels of theobromine, but it is present in milk chocolate too.
• Macadamia Nuts-Highly toxic to dogs and known to cause tremors, diarrhoea vomiting, and weakness if ingested.
• Fatty foods or fat trimmings-Do not give your pet fatty foods such as potatoes cooked in goose fat or butter, as it can lead to pancreatitis.
• Alcohol-Our pets cannot metabolise alcohol like us humans can; it can make them extremely ill.
• Cooked bones-Avoid feeding your pet cooked bones from Christmas meat as it can cause serious internal damage as well as pose as a choking hazard. Only give safe, pet-friendly bones to chew on if need be.
• Mince Pies-The raisins are poisonous to dogs and ingesting them can lead to serious illness, diarrhoea, and even kidney failure.
• Avocado- Persin is a toxin found in the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados which can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea.

Symptoms of food poisoning in cats and dogs include vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, uncontrollable peeing, cramping, severe thirst, panting and salivation.

If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately contact your emergency vet. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms but think your pet has eaten something bad for them, we still recommend contacting your vet.

5. Try These Calming Techniques

Choose a pet-soothing playlist that may help to cover the unfamiliar sounds of a party and offer a calming influence. There are many different dog and cat-soothing audio and video playlists available.

If your pet gets very anxious, there are many ways to help ease stress and anxiety. For dogs, PETLIFE Karma Wrap provides gentle pressure at key points of your dog’s body which help to calm and reassure.

Locate the plug diffuser in room where your pet’s safe space will be. This diffuser helps with separation anxiety as well as fireworks, loud weather, new home,  bereavement, a new pet in home, and any other stressful circumstances for your pet.

Its blend of essentials oils works alongside the brain’s natural relaxation pathways to help calm the nerves of anxious or stressed pets.

Pet Remedy have a wide range of pet-calming products that are perfect for keeping your four legged friends at ease during times of stress.