Fireworks - Their Worst Nightmare

Guy Fawkes Day is just around the corner, and for many of our furry friends, the night is filled with terrors in the form of those very boxes of tricks people pull out to celebrate with.

Many people who own pets know very well what the effects of fireworks are on their animals. Pets can become petrified of the loud noises (remember, they can hear things much better than we can!), the smell of sulphur, and the flashing lights. For many pets, the evening is spent drooling excessively, barking, howling, trembling, trying to hide in the house or in unusual areas inside the house, loss of bladder and bowel control, and, of course, trying to run as far away from the noise as they can.

Every year, the SPCA and other animal welfare organisations beg communities to refrain from lighting fireworks because of their effect on animals. Communities are urged to ask their neighbours not to set off fireworks to celebrate the outdated commemoration.

Although the ideal would be that people will not set off fireworks in their neighbourhood out of respect for their community and its pets, you are indeed lucky if you live in a neighbourhood that is entirely silent on the night, so we've compiled a list of tips for keeping your animals safe during the celebrations.