Dog trainer shares tips to calm pets on Bonfire Night including key food to 'reduce anxiety'

Ahead of bonfire night, experts have teamed up with a professional dog trainer to provide tips on preparing your dog for fireworks and calming them down during the event.

Simon Booth, Managing Director at Green Pantry, warns: "Fireworks can trigger a fearful or stress response in dogs and cats as they struggle to make sense of the loud and unpredictable bangs. They associate loud noises and flashing lights with danger, which can trigger an instinct to run away."

Green Pantry experts, in collaboration with Phil Legood, a Professional Dog Trainer, offer eight strategies to prepare your pets and soothe them during the firework season.

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1. Alter their routine

Phil Legood advises: "On the days leading up to bonfire night and the day itself, make sure to avoid taking your dog out on a walk after dark, to avoid encountering fireworks being let off.

"Make sure your dog has had a walk and eaten before the fireworks begin. This will help to tire them out and ensure that they are inside and settled when the fireworks start."

2. Don't neglect diet in managing dog anxiety

Simon suggests: "Don't overlook the importance of diet when it comes to reducing your dog's anxiety levels.

"If you know your dog gets particularly stressed or anxious over fireworks, consider opting for an anxiety-reducing meal to help them.

"Look out for dog food with Valerian and Hemp on the ingredient list, such as Green Pantry's Duck & Turkey with Sweet Potato & Blueberry food, as these natural relaxants can aid canine calm.

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"Alternatively consider a natural calming supplement, containing hemp and valerian properties, to sprinkle over their regular food to help support relaxation and manage stress.

"These natural relaxants are also particularly useful in settling overactive dogs or even those prone to separation anxiety."

3. Stay with your pet and check for escape routes

Phil Legood advises: "Your dog or cat could panic if left alone on bonfire night so always make sure you stay with your pet, to help them relax.

"It's always a good idea to make sure your house and garden is escape-proof too, as your pet could try to run away if they get spooked, so make sure doors, windows and fences are secure."

4. Close the curtains

Phil Legood suggests: "To avoid flashing lights disturbing and stressing your pet, make sure to keep curtains closed on bonfire night.

"Play calming music or put on background TV, to help disguise the noise."

5. Take note of your pets behaviour and act accordingly

Phil Legood recommends: "It's important to take note of your pets behaviour and respond appropriately, to help reduce their anxiety.

"For example, if your dog wants to hide, let them stay where they feel safe. If they seek reassurance, calmly give them attention and comfort to help ease their anxiety.

"Your dog might be unbothered by the noises. To help keep it this way, keep them busy with their favourite toys to further distract them.

"Your dog might make a mess by accident if they get stressed. While typically you should discipline your dog for this, avoid telling them off during fireworks as this might make them feel more scared."

6. Consider a scent-based distraction

Phil Legood says: "To keep your dog distracted during fireworks, hide treats around the house or use a snuffle mat and place new treats inside, to keep them busy."

7. Create hiding spaces for cats

Simon says: "Always keep cats inside on bonfire night, to help avoid them becoming stressed. You might want to consider microchipping them, in case they do find a way to escape.

"To help cats that are afraid of fireworks, make sure to provide hiding places in your home such as under furniture or a quiet corner they can escape to.

"If your cat does go to hide, don't stress them further by trying to tempt them out - leave them until they are ready.

8. Consider desensitisation training

Phil Legood says: "To help your pet become desensitised to loud noises and bangs fireworks ahead of next year, consider sound training to help them build resilience against this.

"To do this, play recordings of fireworks at a low volume in the weeks leading up to bonfire night, to help them become familiar with the sounds. Gently praise them if they remain calm.

"Play the soundtrack during mealtimes or playtime, to help your pet associate the sounds with positive moments."

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