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Dogs and cats on New Year's Eve: seven tips that help against anxiety

2022-12-24T05:18:35.949Z


Dogs and cats on New Year's Eve: seven tips that help against anxiety Created: 12/24/2022, 06:00 The fireworks on New Year's Eve may look nice, but they disturb numerous dogs, cats and other animals every year. This is the best way to protect your pets. This fact has been a concern for conservationists for years: people celebrate on New Year's Eve with loud fireworks that bang and stink - and f


Dogs and cats on New Year's Eve: seven tips that help against anxiety

Created: 12/24/2022, 06:00

The fireworks on New Year's Eve may look nice, but they disturb numerous dogs, cats and other animals every year.

This is the best way to protect your pets.

This fact has been a concern for conservationists for years: people celebrate on New Year's Eve with loud fireworks that bang and stink - and for days later wild deer or house cats are still running around confused and disoriented.

The noise on New Year's Eve may be an ancient custom to drive away evil spirits.

Unfortunately, he also drives away pets, who are completely disturbed by the noise.

This is the best way to protect your dog or cat on New Year's Eve and take away their fear of noise.

Total sensory overload: That's why animals are afraid on New Year's Eve

Scared dog with sign "Please don't buy fireworks.

I'm afraid".

© Firn/IMAGO

There are also people who are uncomfortable with the noise and the smell of sulfur on New Year's Eve.

For dogs and cats - as well as wild animals - this feeling is many times worse.

This is simply because most animals have much more developed senses than humans.

A dog, for example, hears frequencies between 15 and 50,000 hertz, while humans only hear sounds between 20 and 20,000 hertz.

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Dogs also hear high-pitched sounds much better, which can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when rockets are buzzing.

The same applies to the unpleasant smell of sulfur, which dogs, with their up to 220 million olfactory cells, perceive much more sharply than we humans with our 5 to 20 million olfactory cells.

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In addition, it is a completely unfamiliar situation for the animals, which they cannot classify and are most likely to equate with danger.

So if the dog or cat gets scared on New Year's Eve, you will usually notice that the animal is behaving unusually.

Cats will hide in a corner and show by their bushy tails and flat ears that they are in a dangerous situation.

Dogs are just as restless and will whine or howl as well.

Dog and cat on New Year's Eve: what to do if the pet is afraid on New Year's Eve

  • 1. The pet, whether it is a dog or a cat, should be in the house on New Year's Eve.

    Outdoor cats in particular could be so traumatized by the noise that they can't find their way home afterwards.

    Dogs should also be walked on a leash throughout the day so that the first rockets that go off in the afternoon do not startle the animal and encourage it to run away.

  • 2. Anxious animals need company.

    Even if you'd like to watch the fireworks, make sure your pet isn't alone in the noise and have someone you trust with them to calm them down.

  • 3. Reduce noise.

    Although you cannot control the volume of the fireworks, you can ensure that your pet hears as little of it as possible.

    Therefore, close all doors and windows and make sure that your dog or cat hears as little as possible.

    Also, close curtains and shutters, because even the bright lights can disturb the animals.

  • 4. Distraction is key. Keep your pet occupied with other things during the firefight so the noise of the situation isn't the only thing on which they are concentrating.

    Distraction works with treats or smells, such as special treats that aren't otherwise available.

    Other sounds can also be helpful.

    For example, turn on the television or the washing machine to distract your dog or cat from the New Year's noise.

  • 5. Comfort the dog or cat.

    If your pet is anxious, you can also calm them down with snuggles and calm, gentle encouragement.

    When affectionate, dogs, for example, like people, release the cuddle hormone oxytocin, which reduces stress hormones.

  • 6. Don't drive the animal crazy.

    With all these tips, however, it is important that you remain calm.

    If you're scurrying around, worried about your dog or cat and trying to make sure he's okay, your pet will quickly realize that something is wrong.

    This will only add to his stress.

    So stay calm and exude calm and an “everything is fine” attitude.

    This will also calm your pet down.

  • 7. Medication as an emergency solution.

    If you have already had the experience from the New Year's Eve of previous years that your animal cannot be calmed down when there is a firecracker and is then completely disturbed despite all the tricks, you can also resort to medication.

    There are also soothing preparations, scent diffusers, sprays and a few other veterinary solutions.

    However, it is highly advisable to discuss these options with your vet beforehand.

Source: merkur

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