The recently published PDSA Animal Welfare Report 2021 states that 3% of dogs acquired pre-pandemic are showing new signs of fear and a further 7% are now responding to outdoor-related sounds that they can hear from within their home. In addition, 11% of cats, established within their homes pre-March 2020, are showing new stress-related behaviours. Of the estimated 960 000 dogs that found a home post-March 2020, 15% are already reported to be showing signs of fear, with an extra 18% reported to respond from their homes to stimuli emanating from outdoors.
It was already well accepted that between 40% and 50% of dogs show sensitivity to the sound of fireworks. Figures for cats are less easy to access, as the primary response of the anxious or fearful cat is to hide, hence owners will be less aware of their sound sensitivities. Consequently, from the PAW Report figures (and based on the cases being seen by members of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians), it can be assumed that, following the recent periods of a relative reduction in exposure to ‘outdoor’ stimuli, many previously socially and environmentally robust animals have experienced a loss of established competencies; and younger, less environmentally competent animals are more sensitive to fresh exposure to stimuli. This has the potential to markedly increase the proportion of sound sensitive animals that suffer during exposure to firework sounds, from the established approximation of one in two.
It is not surprising that a large proportion of our pet population find sudden, loud noises to be a source of alarm. After all, intense fear or anxiety on encountering sudden or loud noises (and attempts to escape, hide or, in some animals, to enter a state of tonic immobility) is a basic survival strategy — it is innate and adaptive. Hence, at least on their first exposure to the sound of fireworks, the expectation would be that 100% of the pet population would engage in some form of recognition and potential avoidance of firework-related sounds. However, the adaptive response is to learn that the sound is irrelevant to survival and to consequently habituate and ignore future exposures. Instead, the extreme nature of exposure to firework sounds, experienced by at least 40% of the canine population, results in sensitisation, and for many of those animals, to future, welfare limiting distress.
Basic preventative advice for owners:
- At least 4 weeks prior to the start of November, create a safe place — a small, darkened, sound-proof den for a dog and try to place it somewhere that the dog would naturally go when anxious. Cats need to be able to get to an established, small, high position (such as an igloo bed on a shelf). Owners should establish these hiding places away from windows or exterior walls
- Dogs should be taken out to toilet before it becomes dark and litter trays and water should be provided in the room with a cat's ‘safe place’
- No matter how irritating a pet's behaviour may be, never use a raised voice or other form of punishment
- Protect the pet from firework noises, keeping it indoors as it starts to become dark, close curtains, doors and windows. Mask noises with background sounds from the TV or radio
- If the pet solicits it, provide support without paying excessive attention. If the pet is worried by a bang and approaches an owner for support, offer affection without being too effusive. Remain relaxed yet offer play and treats, but do not confuse the pet with out of character and over-enthusiastic attempts to entertain it. When the pet has calmed, try to distract it with an easy game or searching for a treat
- Do not leave the pet alone in the home.
- Pets should be microchipped and preferably wearing a tag in case they escape and bolt from the home
- If a pet normally lives outdoors, consider bringing it indoors
- Try to soundproof aviaries and provide small prey animals with plenty of bedding to hide in
- If a pet has previously shown signs of firework-related distress, chemical support should be provided, such as Adaptil (Ceva) and Sileo (Zoetis) for dogs and Feliway (Ceva) for cats
- Advise owners of new or young dogs and cats to use species appropriate, security enhancing, pheromone products to aid the prevention of firework sensitivity
- There is no reliable research to support the use of ear covers or body wraps, so ensure that if owners insist on using such products, that the animal is enabled to get used to wearing the item prior to a sound event, through gradual introduction over a period of weeks.
This author struggles to imagine any other scenario that created a severe welfare impairment in 40–50% of the companion animal population, failing to result in public uproar and a mass effort by the veterinary profession to become proactive in their intervention. Despite the multitude of negative outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has at least forced the majority of veterinary staff to increase their internet-based and social media communication skills. Whether practices use the pre-prepared material available from pharmaceutical companies, pet-related charities or their own, bespoke designed material, there is no excuse for practices not contacting all clients and encouraging them to ensure that their companion animals are protected from the potentially life-limiting welfare outcomes of firework-related sound sensitivities.