At this time of year we celebrate faith, spirituality, health, happiness and prosperity.
We also reaffirm our desire for peace and the wellbeing of humanity and all creatures on Earth.
My special thoughts go out to those who care for companion animals around the world.
May you keep your precious pets healthy, happy and safe!
PetPeevesUnmasked.com
Here in the USA, on the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, hundreds of terrified pets flee fireworks and fire crackers. As a result, it’s on the day after each of these festive events that more companion animals are reported missing than at any other time of the year. This is a proven fact which is repeated over and over again.
The noise that these projectiles make is traumatizing to pets due to the fact that their sensitivity to sound is far greater than ours. Cats will run as fast as possible and look frantically for the nearest hiding spot that is dark and as far away from the noise as possible. A dog’s reaction can vary from freezing, howling and urinating, to flight mode, during which time it can get seriously injured. This fireworks phobia causes runaway pets and, unfortunately, many of them never get reunited with their guardians again.
Because extreme fear triggers extreme behavior, pets become traumatized by fireworks, fire crackers, and other excruciating noises. And, if you want to know what they do when they feel threatened, here are some examples.
Felines – Once a cat is well hidden from view, it will likely remain invisible for up to 24 or 36 hours and not leave her safe place, even for food.
Canines – They are a lot more complicated and react in a variety of different ways. For example, they will:
We know that a phobia of fireworks causes pets to run away but there are things you can do to prevent that from happening. Here’s how.
Give your dog a good exercise session. When he is both physically and mentally exhausted, his anxiety level will drop. Similarly, your cat will be less stressed if you give her a physically and mentally challenging play session. Consequently, your pets’ fireworks phobia will usually lessen and become more manageable.
There are some other tips I can share with you on how to help reduce noise trauma during crucial dates like these. They include white noise, pheromones, pressure wraps and so on. If you’re interested, please send me a comment.
Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!
On this same topic, I recommend you also read about coping with thunder: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/pets-fear-thunder-loud-noises/
You have pets at home, you’re going away, and you need to pick petsitting professionals you can trust to take care of them. What to do?
Most pet parents I know have tried out several different kinds of arrangements. And, when it comes to deciding what suits them, they analyze a variety of different factors. These include convenience, cost, reliability, safety and how their pets react to the experience.
One of the options available to them, of course, is 24/7 care by a professional (or not so professional) petsitter. So, let’s review how to go about finding the right individual for you.
When it comes to selecting who will look after your pets while you’re away, you need to ensure that they are thoroughly capable. Without exception, you should choose companion animal caregivers carefully and feel confident they are able to handle all situations. That includes a standard routine as well as unforeseen circumstances. In addition, it’s also wise to have a backup plan, just in case that designated person is suddenly unable to do their job.
No pet parent wants to be faced with an unpleasant surprise which is why you need to choose your companion animal caregivers very carefully. So, before you hire someone, I recommend you ask yourself the following questions. And if for any reason you are doubtful, please do the necessary research or else move on.
One final tip. When you’re about to pick a petsitting pro to care for your furry loved ones, I also strongly suggest this. Just as you would, or certainly should, before hiring a babysitter, do a background check. Don’t skip this step. You need to have complete confidence in that person. After all, you’re allowing them access to your home and handing over all responsibility for your dogs and cats to them when you are not there.
YOUR EXPERIENCE – Did your petsitter make multiple daily visits or provide around-the-clock care? How would you rate the quality of your experience? Please drop me a note in the comments section. I would really enjoy hearing from you.
Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!
You might also be interested in the topic of how to move home when you have pets: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/move-with-pets-stress-free