With Christmas over and still reeling from the over indulgence we or about to have more festivities on New Years Eve. Whilst we are enjoying ourselves we must be aware that our furry friends are not going to be enjoying it like us. With the possibility of strangers visiting again, noisy music and fireworks, our pets are likely to be scared or try to run away. In fact, Dog shelters report that they see an increased number of lost Dogs over the New Year period. Therefore, I have compiled my top tips for keeping your pet safe on New Years Eve.
Safest Indoors
It is always best to keep your loved one’s indoors. It will be quieter and a place they feel safe. If you are having friends around keep them in a comfortable place with their blankets and toys etc. If they are sociable let them interact with your guests but tell your guests not to feed them food or alcohol. This may seem obvious but some people may not understand this. Ensure they have plenty of their proper food and water. If you are alone but near fireworks it’s always good to cuddle up to them on the sofa, keep the windows and curtains closed, and have the TV on. Try not to react to the sound of fireworks and comfort them as much as possible if you feel they are wary.
Food and Water
Make sure your furry friends have good access to plenty of food and water. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible so that your Dog feels as if nothing is about to happen and that it is a normal day. This will ensure he feels secure and less likely to get scared and run off if he hears some strange noises.
Lots of Walks and Playtime
During the day why not take them for a long walks and play with them more than ever. This will tire them our and all they will want to do during the evening is relax and sleep. Try to keep them busy with toys or games. If he has a new toy he is more likely to find that interesting than what is going on around him. If you know there are going to be loud fireworks near you make sure they have been out and done their business before it all kicks off.
Beware of Alcoholic Beverages
It is not rocket science that you shouldn’t feel your Dog alcohol but some people might not realise this especially if they are guests and not Dog owners. To some seeing your Dog drunk might be funny but you are actually poisoning him and this can have serious repercussions. Also, your Dog might find the smell of alcohol appealing so make sure all drinks are kept well our of their way
Watch Out For Fatty Foods
This is very similar to the alcohol side of things. Food is always attractive to Dogs but fatty foods can make them seriously ill. Ham, beef, chicken and bones all have high levels of fat that your loved one’s will find attractive to eat. Eating these can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and bloating. chicken bones can be especially dangerous as they have been known to splinter and get stuck in the intestines. This can cause blockages or internal bleeding which will require surgery. This would be hardly the ending you want for the New Year.
Beware of Party Poppers and Decorations
New Year’s Eve parties usually include party poppers, streamers, balloons and noisy horns etc. The party poppers are likely to scare the hell out of any Dog and those noisy blaring horns will have them looking for shelter quicker than you can say Happy New Year. Think about these things if you are having a party. Also, discarded poppers and streamers will seem strange to them. Don’t let them pick them up and chew on them just in case they swallow them and cause internal problems as with chicken bones.
Fireworks
As mentioned before, protect your loved one’s from the sound of fireworks. If you happen to live in a crowded place, like I do, the fireworks go on for hours. You must do your utmost to protect your Dog and any other pets from the loud noise. The constant banging will cause stress and anxiety. I for one will be spending New Years Eve on the sofa, with all windows and curtains drawn, and the TV slightly louder than normal. Both my Dog’s will be sat either side of me and I will be doing my best to keep them comfortable and stress free.
Go Away For The Evening
Why not get away for the night? There are plenty of Pet Friendly hotels offering accommodation for the New Year. A nice trip to the coast somewhere quiet will not only be nice for you but also for your pet’s. Why not have a look on Booking.com and see what they have to offer.
Holistic Calming Therapies and Medications
If you feel your Dog is going to have a terrible evening and there is nothing you can do to prevent this why not try some holistic calming therapies. There are many tried and tested available on amazon.co.uk that will deliver before New Year’s Eve. Lemon balm, chamomile, lavender and valerian are all natural herbs that can be safely added to your Dogs food to relax them and make them feel more secure.
If you are really concerned you can also speak top your vet. There are several anti-anxiety medications available. Benzodiazepines can be taken on an as needed basis and others available over the counter are diphenhydramine and benadryl. These can also be effective.
However, do not give your Dog any medication with speaking to your vet first.
Check out some of the available therapies available on amazon.co.uk
Conclusion
We will soon be coming to the end of the festive season and New Yer’s Eve is usually the loudest of the events. I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year. Please think about our loved one’s who do not understand what is going on. Keep them safe as at the end of the day, they are also our family and need as much love and happiness as we all do.
Happy New Year everyone
David
