How can we reduce the anxiety of our domestic pets this spooky season?

As the end of October fast approaches, so does the season of outdoor parties, loud sounds, large gatherings, fires and fireworks. Now while Halloween is a great way for us humans to have fun, it results in a large amount of strange noises and interactions for our pets and the animals around us, something we must keep in mind when considering animal well-being. Dog, cats, rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters and more – pets of all shapes and sizes can feel nervous during this time and may suffer from noise-phobia, or alternative anxiety, so it’s vital we do what we can as owners to help reduce their stress levels.

The good news? There are plenty of extra measures you can take to try to alleviate your pet’s worries from either noise or disruption to their daily routines. At Animal Courses Direct, we’ve rounded up our top tips to keep your furry friends safe, happy and comfortable this Halloween.

Our top tips for ensuring pet safety this Halloween:

1.  Keep them indoors

This may seem obvious but keeping pets indoors during loud and noisy nights is the best way you can keep an eye on them and keep them safe. This ensures they won’t be spooked outside and run off or get into trouble. This includes smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs who may be kept in pens outside in the garden. If you cannot bring them in for any reason, aim to cover their pens with a large blanket to help muffle out the noise and make them feel protected under a cover.

2. Walk dogs during the daytime

If you have a dog, it is advised to walk them during the daylight when there are less likely to be fireworks set off, or people out dressed in costumes and masks. This will help your pup to feel as though Halloween is just another regular day. Outdoor cats should also be let out during the daytime to stop them from getting spooked by noises or trick-or-treaters later in the dark.

3. Build a den/quiet space for them to relax

Many pets including cats and dogs will want somewhere to ‘hide’ when loud noises or flashing lights become too much. By building a den in your home, you can give your animals a comfortable, secure place to snuggle up and feel safe. This may include using a blanket to cover a surface/table, so your animals have something to feel hidden and safe underneath.

4. Consider keeping pets in a room further away from your front door

With an increased number of potential visitors to your home, the front doorbell is likely to be ringing more often. To reduce stress in the evening for your pets from any trick-or-treaters who may knock, consider keeping your pet in a separate room further away from the front door.

5. Make some good hiding places in your home

By taking the time to create a few good hiding places in your home, you can give your pet multiple options of safe areas to go to if they start feeling anxious. These could be anywhere from underneath beds, tables, cosy corners of the room or blanket forts.

6. Keep any Halloween candy or treats out of sight!

Remember that sweets and chocolate, in particular, is toxic for most pets and animals, so make sure any Halloween treats are kept well out of reach for tempted pets. Don’t worry about pumpkins, however, these are safe and natural for dogs and some other animals to enjoy.

7. Minimise noise pollution

Closing windows will help cut out loud noises and closing curtains can stop flashing lights from distressing your animals further. You may also like to consider choosing low-noise impact fireworks or choosing not to set off fireworks yourself at all as a measure of prevention.

8. Use other noise to cover the sound

You may like to try to cover the loud noises with other ‘normal or ‘safe’ noises that your animals are used to, for example, putting on the TV, playing some music or the radio.

9. Try to act normal

Acting calm and in control of the situation yourself will show your pets that nothing is wrong. They may respond well to this by seeing your relaxed nature and choosing to follow it, because if you aren’t worried, why should they be?

10. Don’t punish them

Remember that no matter what you do to help, some pets will remain anxious and stressed no matter what. This is not your fault, just as it is not theirs! Try to remain patient and calm with your animals no matter what, as this is a stressful time for them, so your love and support are vital.

Remember, take a deep breath and be patient – this won’t last! You can only try your best to help calm down your pets. If this still does not work, you may like to contact a vet to speak to a professional for alternate methods and advice to de-stress your pet.

Lastly, you may want to keep an eye out for all the animals in your environment and garden. Remember, hedgehogs and other garden animals often view bonfire piles as the perfect warm hiding spot. So, if you are hosting a bonfire this year during Halloween or beyond, try to check for any hidden wildlife that could potentially be harmed in the display before you get going.

At Animal Courses Direct, we also offer a wide range of Canine Courses, including those that have been designed to help you care for your pet dog throughout the different stages of its lifetime, and give you helpful tips on how to keep them healthy and happy.

Find out more now by discussing this course with our expert team on 01202 006 040, contacting us online, or viewing the course in more detail on our website. 

Also, if you adore animals, you can keep track of all upcoming animal awareness days and events with our FREE calendar! Download it here.