How do I know if my animal is stressed?
Dogs and cats hear many times better than us humans, which is why they perceive the loud bangs of fireworks differently and are much louder than we do. Although not all furry friends react to the loud bangs and bright flashes in the sky, the majority of pets are still stressed on New Year's Eve. We have summarized the signs you should look out for in your cat or dog:
Signs of anxiety in dogs
- Heavy panting and increased yawning
- Strong trembling all over the body
- Ears laid back
- Dilated pupils and wide eyes
- Crouched, crouching position, tucked tail
- Elongated corners of the mouth
- Loss of appetite and restlessness
- Diarrhea and/or increased salivation
Signs of fear in cats
- Excessive licking and cleaning
- Sudden uncleanliness
- Ears laid back
- Dilated pupils and wide eyes
- Aimless wandering
- Run away and hide
- Loss of appetite
Our tips for combating stress on New Year's Eve
1. behave as usual
The more normal you make everyday life on New Year's Eve, the easier it will be for your dog or cat to relax, because the routine will calm your pet. Changes in your behavior, such as excessive petting or anxious behavior, can actually increase your furry friend's feelings of stress. Do not suggest pity at any time, as this will reinforce your animal's belief that something terrible is happening.
2. Create a calm atmosphere
A darkened room with quiet music or the television playing provides a calming background noise and shields you from the disturbing flashes of light outside. Create special retreats such as the dog box, a cave or the area under the table where your furry friend can retreat voluntarily. This way you can offer your dog or cat safety and security. Important: Your furry friend should be able to retreat to such places voluntarily. Forced to lay down, lock up or leave alone can potentially stress your animal even more.
3. Do not leash dogs - leave cats in the house
Keep your dog on a leash two days before, two days after and on New Year's Eve. Firecrackers set off in advance could scare him and he could run away. Also make sure you have an address tag with a telephone number on your collar so that you can be contacted quickly in the event of an emergency. You can also adjust your walks before New Year's Eve so that you do your rounds as early as possible in daylight. This way you avoid unnecessary encounters with firecrackers that are set off early.
It's best to leave your outdoor cat at home for the same period - even if it's difficult. If your cat doesn't know the confinement at all, you should get him used to being at home a few days in advance. With our Shakerys you'll be able to quickly convince your cat that things aren't so bad at home.
4. Provide distraction
Keep your dog or cat company and don't leave your darling alone. You can try distracting your pet with special treats or concentration games to focus their attention on other senses. For example, you can roll up your favorite snacks in a towel or spread them out on a snack board. Important: If your animal refuses to leave its retreat and doesn't accept your requests, that's okay! In this case, it's best to ignore your animal and behave as normally as possible. This is difficult, but it gives your loved one security and normality.
5. Seek veterinary advice
If your animal cannot be calmed using any of the methods and it is in unbearable pain, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. There are gentle medications that have a calming effect on your animal. Bach flowers can also help, but they should be administered a few days beforehand and tapered off slowly after New Year's Eve. Your vet can
certainly help you here.
