Watching fireworks light up the sky can be magical for humans—but terrifying for dogs and cats.
New Year’s Eve celebrations can be fun, what with all the media noche spread waiting to be feasted on as fireworks light up the sky. Speaking of fireworks, while watching them make a canvas of the evening sky can be a magical experience, it can be a very stressful affair for your furball.
Your pet dogs and cats are particularly sensitive to the loud noises and even the fumes from firecrackers that have come to define New Year’s Eve festivities. Dogs have heightened senses—they can hear at higher frequencies and from up to four times as far away as humans, says veterinarian Diana Watkins in an interview with USA Today. Dr. Watkins adds that their sense of smell can also be 10,000 times more powerful. Unlike humans, however, dogs cannot tell where a sound is coming from.
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Their “heightened hearing and a misperception of the noise source” can give dogs a sense of “pure panic,” she says. “It smells and sounds terrifying to them, almost like it would if we were in a battle and weren’t expecting it.”
To help you ensure that your beloved fur ball gets through the New Year’s Eve chaos unscathed, The POST interviewed animal advocate and seasoned fur parent Jeng Paradero-Mamiit for some tried-and-tested tips.
Jeng, who is a mom to eight dogs and seven cats, says that she walks her babies a bit longer than usual on the day of New Year’s Eve. “This is so they can be a bit tired and rest earlier,” she explains.
She further advises designating a “safe room” for them, perhaps a spare room, bathroom, or even your own bedroom. Make sure they have a comfortable bed and water bowls within reach. If possible, choose a space away from the noise, ideally a room without windows or facing away from the street. “Plus points if you can make it extra cozy with their toys, pillows, some calming music playing along the background, and some soft lights so they can be really comfortable.” adds Jeng.
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Make sure to keep your pets indoors, especially at the height of fireworks displays. The loud noises could disorient them, which could cause them to bolt in fright. You don’t want to have them end up on the streets which could be even more terrifying for them—or worse lose them.
Speaking of noise, you can also consider doing “gradual desensitization” in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve to help your furry pals become accustomed to the noise without feeling overwhelmed. You can do this by playing recorded fireworks sounds at a low volume, gradually increasing it over time.
No spare room or calming music? Furbaby just won’t sleep? You can distract them from the noise with a kong filled with treats or new chew toys to divert their attention from the fireworks. Keeping them mentally stimulated can reduce anxiety.
But loud noises from fireworks or firecrackers aren’t the only enemy. Jeng says to make sure that these potentially toxic items are out of your pets’ reach. We all know how Brownie and Ming-ming love eating everything they can get their paws on, so be extra vigilant! “Better yet, don’t use fireworks at all,” Jeng says. “Not only is it dangerous and extremely loud, it’s also bad for the environment.”
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Jeng also shares some advice which we should keep in mind not only for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but every time we have a gathering at home. “Make sure that you’re cautious with sharing Christmas or New Year’s Eve table food with them, food with alcohol content, chocolates, grapes, and raisins to name a few are toxic to them,” she says.
Having been a furmom to several senior furbabies already, Jeng reminds those who have pets with pre-existing medical conditions or those that take maintenance medications to make sure to visit your veterinarian before the holidays to replenish your stocks. She adds that you can also have them checked to see if they need extra medications to manage the stress brought by the holidays.
Lastly, Jeng reminds us fur parents to not forget to have fun and take lots of pictures with our furbabies. “You can still make a lot of good memories with your pets if you prepared well for a stress-free New Year’s Eve celebrations with them.”
