Once sensitivity becomes a fear or a phobia, the effect on the animal's capacity to engage with its environment, and consequently the animal's welfare, becomes severely depleted; this has a direct influence on the pet–human relationship which can even result in human targeted aggression.
The key to getting owners to understand the extent of their pet's problem lies in ensuring that they comprehend how distressing a sudden or loud noise can be for an animal that does not feel that it has direct access to a place of safety.
Signs of sound sensitivity for owners to look out for in cats and dogs:
- Trembling and/or shaking
- Attempting to gain attention from, or to stay close to, owners
- Cowering and/or attempting to hide
- Pacing and/or panting
- Destructive/digging behaviour to carpets or restraining doorways
- Cats may over groom
- Inappetence
- Indoor toileting
- Excessive, persistent barking or whining in dogs
- Attempting to escape from the room, home or garden.
Early preparations
Owners should prepare and introduce a den or place of safety in a room that their pet likes to be in and that will be constantly available to it. Both dogs and cats need to be familiar with these areas as places of safety rather than isolation or punishment. The area needs to be as sound-proof as possible — for dogs use an inside corner or wall away from windows and doors, for cats, select a raised area away from windows (and there needs to be at least one den per cat plus an extra to prevent a cat that is attempting to gain safety, surprising and distressing a cat that is already using the den). The den only needs to be large enough for the pet to stand, lie, stretch and turn in — if larger, the sound proofing (from covers over the den) will be less efficient. Treats should be regularly placed in the den and bedding provided that smells of the family — this will make the den into a pleasant place to be.
Micro-chip information and identity tags may need updating in case a pet bolts.
Purchases and usage of products that have a proven capacity to reduce distress, e.g. pheromone diffusers (to be placed next to dens), some neutraceuticals and anxiolytics should occur and use should continue throughout the period of predicted noise disturbance.
Important issues that all cat and dog owners should consider at times when fireworks or sudden loud noises can be predicted:
- Ensure that dens are constantly accessible. Do not attempt to encourage pets to leave a den
- Walk dogs before dark and delay late toileting until firework displays have finished. Ensure that cats are at home before dusk and that they have easy access to their litter tray from their place of safety
- Panting results in dehydration, so move water bowls close to dens and places of safety
- Before dark, close windows, draw curtains and blinds, secure doors and cat flaps. Background noise from TVs and music can help to disguise loud noises.
- Don't leave pets alone in the home and don't try to introduce new experiences or people
- Ignore distress-related behaviour but don't stop a pet from approaching or sitting beside you or on your lap. If your pet is sufficiently relaxed, play a game or provide an interesting puzzle feeder
- Never punish a distressed animal — no matter how annoying their whining or pacing may become!
- Remember that pets may look as though they have recovered, but they may remain reactive and easy to startle for hours — so handling should be minimal and done with care.
After the event
Once the intensive period of firework exposure is over, practices have a responsibility to assist owners in resolving their pet's sound sensitivity. Owners (particularly those that have purchased products to alleviate sound-related distress) should be contacted and encouraged to use CEVA's simple diagnostic tool (http://www.adaptil.com/uk/What-Causes-Stress-in-Dogs/Behaviourist-Fear-of-Fireworks-Assessment). A local clinical behaviourist can be invited to run group sessions at the practice, explaining desensitisation and counter-conditioning, a process that has been made easier through the Sound Therapy For Pets material that is now freely available (see Dog's Trust http://www.adaptil.com/uk/What-Causes-Stress-in-Dogs/Behaviourist-Fear-of-Fireworks-Assessment).
Never assume that a pet is enjoying exposure to fireworks, as fears and phobias can develop at any age — particularly if an animal is new to the experience, becoming geriatric, experiencing challenges from its social or physical environment or experiencing pain or other symptoms of ill-health. Even pets that seem to be ignoring the firework experience and sleeping in their beds may be displaying distress through behavioural inhibition. With up to 73% of the pet population at risk of developing noise-related distress, assume that every pet is one of the 73% and act accordingly!