Top tips for keeping your pets calm this bonfire night

As the clocks change and the darkness comes earlier each night, many pet owners begin to feel anxious about the fireworks at the start of November. Read these top tips to keep your pets calm and happy.

Around this time of year, as the nights draw in and the temperature drops, we all start to feel the wonderful cosiness of autumn. 

Wrapping up warm for a long walk in the woods. Letting your dogs run and play through the fallen leaves.

But, once the clocks change and the darkness comes earlier each night, many pet owners begin to feel anxious about the fireworks at the start of November.

Bonfire night is fun for many of us. Letting off fireworks and watching their colourful display in the dark skies. But for pet owners, it can be disastrous. Scared and nervous pets when fireworks go off around them in all directions can make this time of year very tricky for the pets and the owners.

The RSPCA surveyed the fear responses demonstrated by animals during this period of the year. They received a whopping 11,785 responses from owners worried about their pets. If you are nervous and want to ensure that your pets are safe and happy, not stressed and anxious, read these top tips. Maybe you'll get a few ideas to help you and your pets get through these next few weeks without stress.

• Make a safe haven in your home for your pets to hide. Somewhere where they can feel calm and safe. 
• Walk your dog during the daytime, so they are not outside when fireworks are most likely to be set off.
• Close curtains and put the tv or music on to try to muffle the sounds.
• Play with their favourite toy to try and get your pet to play with you, distracting them from the distant bangs.
• Don't react to the fireworks yourself. If your pets see you reacting, they will feel that they need to respond, but if you ignore it and play with them, they should begin to feel calmer and that there is nothing to fear.
• Use a diffuser - you can buy a plug-in diffuser to release pheromones, a calming chemical that could be helpful for your pet.

Bonfire night is not fun for everyone, but with these helpful tips, you might be able to get through it without any significant drama or anxiety. And those long woodland walks will still be there to enjoy during the day!

Let us know if you have any tips to help your pets through this time of year.