Sound sensitivity and phobia: the 5th of November is only the start of the problem

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:

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.