New Year's Eve means a fun party with your family and friends, but to our pets, it can be a different story. To them, the fireworks, loud music and people cheering wherever they go may seem more of a warzone than a joyous celebration. Many dogs and cats are afraid of thunderstorms, and fireworks are no exception because of their loud bangs and bright flashes of lights.
If you leave your pet outside your home during new year's eve they may go to extreme lengths to escape the explosion. They may injure themselves or others in panic and terror. Some may even get hit by cars or be killed as they flee.
If you don't want your pet to be in a panic and stay calm during new year's eve, here’s what you can do:
Keep them inside
The sound of partying, fireworks, and people screaming their lungs out with joy can be overwhelming that will leave them anxious and frightened. If they are left outside with no one to comfort them during these times, they might feel very frightened and will do whatever it takes to escape - which often ends up badly.
Keep Them Leashed When Going Outside
If you need to take your pet outside like for instance, when they need their bathroom breaks, make sure to keep them secured in a leash or put in a crate. Some pets may be curious and get to the source of the noise. Others may run away from people and loud sounds. If your pet doesn't have a secure harness, it might slip out of it.
Put Identification Tags on Them
Orten due to stress or anxiety is when they run away. If you are hosting a party it is best if you keep your pets indoors and in a confined space so that they can't escape. You need to make sure that your pets can easily be identified in case they slip away by putting identification tags and microchip registrations. Also, make sure the information is current so that they can easily call you when your pet runs off.
Stay with Your Routine
The more closely you adhere to their regular feeding schedule and other activities, the less likely they are to feel anxious.
Talk to Your Vet About Anti-Anxiety Medications
There are several types of drugs available for animals and the most common is Benzodiazepines. These are fast-acting drugs and can be used on an as-needed basis. There are other drugs that can be bought without medications such as Benadryl or diphenhydramine that can work wonders in keeping your pet calm. However, do not attempt to dose your pet with any pet medication unless you consult it with your vet first.
Comfort Your Pet as Needed
Hold and pet your companion, brush their head to make them feel better. Allow them to sleep in covers to take away their fears. You can also massage your pet to keep them calm. It is easy to learn how to massage your pet. There are countless guides out there to help you do it right.