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Burns on Keeping Pets Calm on Bonfire Night


cat, cats, cat hiding, cat scared, bonfire night, tips and advice for pets fireworks night, burns pet food, burns

Animals are close to my heart and not just my own four furry felines, all animals have a special place in my heart. It's around this time of year when the fireworks are banging nightly that my worries turn to frightened animals who aren't quite sure what's going on. I try to keep my cats near as they, as most animals are, scared of fireworks. 

Burns pet food recently very kindly sent us over a couple of bags of their cat biscuits for my lucky little kitties to try and they loved them! They've also provided us with these fantastic suggestions that we can all try to help reduce our pets anxiety this bonfire night..
  • Firstly, consider your pet’s food, some contain additives that can affect behaviour. It may be beneficial to consider an alternative diet. Burns adult diets contain controlled protein levels and are free from sugars and chemicals such as colourings. 
  • Keep your animals inside and spend time with them to soothe their anxiety. Different people let fireworks off at different times throughout this period. It can be difficult to avoid the noise and stress as it is unpredictable. But keeping your dogs and cats in after dark in the run up to Bonfire Night and for a week or so afterwards can help avoid the majority of it.
  • Make sure all windows are closed and lock cat flaps so that the pets cannot run away and put themselves in harm’s way. A typical reaction is to flee, so make sure there is somewhere they can hide themselves away if needed, if a dog is crate trained setting the crate up in their favourite place may help.  Closing the curtains and keeping the TV or radio on will muffle some of the noise as will double glazing, ensure the windows are closed to achieve the full benefit. 
  • Don’t leave a scared animal alone if at all possible but try to ignore fearful behaviour, unless it is putting your pet at risk of harming themselves, to avoid reinforcing it. Using an Adaptil diffuser for a dog which may help them feel calmer through the release of pheromones or a Feliway diffuser for a cat, which helps it in times of stress and stops irrational behaviour. Never punish them for being scared, this could heighten your pet’s insecurity.
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Burns adult diets contain controlled protein levels and are free from sugars and chemicals such as colourings. Based on whole grains the food promotes stable mental and physical health. Alongside Burns an additional meal of cooked porridge (without milk) may help calm your dog. Oats are rich in nutrients such as B Vitamins which are great for supporting mental well-being. 
Outdoor pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs may also be scared by fireworks. It will help to make sure they are shut in their hutch with plenty of bedding to hide away in. Covering it with some old carpet could also help muffle the noise and prevent them from seeing flashes that may distress them. You could also consider moving the hutch indoors, into a garage or shed during firework season.
For nutritional advice or to find out more about Burns Pet Nutrition please visit the Burns website

29 comments

  1. Oh never heard of burns, so will keep an eye out and my kitties are not allowed out when there are fireworks and the likes going off as they really don't like them x

    Beautyqueenuk xx

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  2. I'll let my mum know about this as she has cats.

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  3. I use Burns too! It is defo worth it!

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  4. Our dogs seem to be fine at the moment.

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  5. Another reason I hate fireworks....

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  6. My dog isn't liking it at the moment. The really horrible loud ones make me jump too.

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  7. My cat doesn't like Burns - maybe she's just too fussy

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  8. Good tips! When we were doing fireworks at my sisters tonight there next door neighbour came out halfway through looking for the cat....I was thinking I've never owned a cat as an adult but surely it would make sense to keep it inside on bonfire night?!

    xxx

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  9. Unfortunately Nath won't let me have a pet! Party pooper, but these are some great tips!xx

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  10. Great tips....I never thought about additives in pets food...Burns sounds a good idea to try :)

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  11. My dog hated the fireworks but we kept her in and just shut the doors so she barely heard them what helped x

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  12. great tips i am really lucky as my cats are not bothered by fireworks etc

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  13. it really is a nightmare for animals at this time of the year, I always worry about the little wild animals outdoors, goodness knows what they think of all the loud fireworks.

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  14. My dog doesn't mind the noise! :)

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  15. My cat has been a bit twitchy this year. Good tips!

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  16. This was great seeing as I have 5 cats!

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  17. I always keep our cat indoors on bonfire night, which she doesnt mind. She is frightened of noise, as I think most animals are, especially cats.

    @tjsi1963

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  18. I've always kept my animals indoors, really great post for those who aren't aware of the dangers x

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  19. Fantastic advice, always feel for them on fireworks night x

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  20. Some great tips there, wish I'd found them before Bonfire night, but i'll keep them in mind for new years eve, bound to be more fireworks!

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  21. Fantastic advice! My dogs get so scared on bonfire night!

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  22. I also use a plug in calmer for pets you can get them from petshops- they just release a calming solution into the air .I also believe in cuddling them up to me to reassure them . Blinking fireworks - selling explosives to the public for entertainment is the most stupid tradition .

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  23. It was my 2 cats' first ever fireworks night this year and they were quite scared, hiding under dining table chairs and behind curtains. I made sure to give them lots of cuddles and attention, talking to them in a soft calm voice so that they knew that everything was all right x

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  24. good tips, my dog gets scared every year, hes ripped our kitchen floor up twice

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  25. Have never heard of Burns before, will be sure to let my sister know, sure it will help with her FOUR cats!

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  26. thanks for the post. great information :)

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  27. My poor old 6yr old hates it as much as the dog next door seems to!

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