With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to cosy nights in, fancy dress, and fireworks.

However, for our pets, this time of year can be a total nightmare.

The sudden loud bangs, flashing lights, constant doorbells, and strangers in strange costumes can cause massive stress.

Every year, animal charities see a huge spike in runaway pets and stressed-out animals during October and November.

The good news? With a bit of early planning, you can help your furry family members stay happy, calm, and safe.

To help you get prepared, the expert team at Wright & Morten Vets have put together their top tips for keeping your animals safe, comfortable, and stress-free this season.

Golden rule - Get inside early

• Change up walkies - Walk your dog during daylight hours. Amateur backyard fireworks often start as soon as it gets dark, which can easily spook a dog on a lead
• Lock down the house - Double-check that all windows, doors, and cat flaps are tightly shut. A panicked pet can easily squeeze through a small gap to try and escape the noise
• Update their details - Just in case the worst happens and your pet bolts, make sure their microchip details and collar tags are completely up to date so you can be reunited quickly

Create a cosy 'safe haven'

Animals instinctively want to hide when they are scared. You can help by setting up a dedicated "den" in a quiet room.

• Muffle the outside world - Draw the curtains to block out flashing lights. Turn on the TV or put on some radio music (classical or calm talk radio works brilliantly) to help drown out the sudden thuds from outside
• Let them hide away - Pack the space with their favourite blankets and toys. If your cat wedges themselves on top of a wardrobe or your dog hides behind the sofa, let them be. Forcing them out of their safe spot will only make them more anxious
• Keep them distracted - A long-lasting chew toy or a frozen Kong stuffed with peanut butter can keep a dog distracted for hours. Chewing and licking actually releases natural calming hormones in their brains

Don't forget the small furries

It isn't just cats and dogs that get spooked. Small outdoor pets like rabbits and guinea pigs have incredibly sensitive hearing.

• Bring them inside - If you can, move outdoor hutches into a quiet room, a secure garage, or a garden shed for the next few weeks
• Give them extra bedding - If you can't move the hutch, turn it around to face a solid wall and cover it with thick blankets to deaden the sound (just make sure air can still get in). Give them piles of extra hay or shredded paper so they can burrow deep down and hide

Before Bonfire Night even arrives, Halloween brings its own set of risks to the house.

Make sure the sweet bowl is out of reach. Chocolate, raisins, and sugar-free sweets containing xylitol are highly toxic to dogs and cats. Make sure the trick-or-treat haul is kept high up in a cupboard safely stored away.

Also ditch the real candles. Real candles inside carved pumpkins are a massive fire hazard if a startled pet knocks them over. Stick to battery-operated LED tea lights instead.

If you feel you need any extra help or advice, Wright & Morten Vets in Macclesfield is here to support you, no matter how minor or severe your pet's anxiety might be.

An appointment may not even be needed if your pet doesn't have a severe reaction but just needs a small extra bit of help to get through the night.

The clinic stocks many over-the-counter products - such as plug-in pheromone diffusers, calming sprays, and stress-relieving treats - that can be purchased directly from reception with no vet appointment required.

However, if your pet suffers from severe noise phobia (like shaking uncontrollably, endless pacing, or destructive behaviour), we do recommend that you come and book an appointment early to discuss your pet's individual needs. Many prescription anxiety treatments need a few days or weeks to build up in your pet's system.

Head down to our Heather Close Veterinary Hospital or get in touch to find the perfect solution for your four-legged companions before the firework season peaks.

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