Gloucester Today

While New Year’s Eve celebrations are time to celebrate and have lots of fun for us humans, unfortunately our furry companions don’t have as much fun and can be easily frightened. Many pets become scared at the sound of fireworks or the loud music. You can follow these helpful tips to help have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve for you and your furry friends!

Exercise pets during the day – for dogs, take them on a long walk or run. For cats, play with them for up to a half-hour or more. If they are tired, pets are more likely to nap or rest through the festivities.

Keep dogs and cats indoors – if you must let the dog out for a bathroom break, monitor them closely by keeping them on a leash. Make sure the collar is fitted and there is no chance of escape if they become frightened by the sounds of fireworks. It is best to not let your cats out at all.

Keep dogs and cats in a familiar, cozy area (bedroom, for example) with food, water, toys, and bedding. Try playing soothing music in the room to drown out the sound of fireworks. If you have both dogs and cats, you may want to separate them in different rooms.

Make sure if your pets interact with party guests that everyone knows not to feed your pets food or alcohol. This may seem self-explanatory, but some people may not be aware of the dangers of such behavior.

Original source can be found here.