The fireworks season in the UK can last from late October right through to past New Year's Eve. This can be a very stressful time, not only for frightened animals; but for their owners too!
This blend can be even more effective if used while implementing the behaviour techniques below. Whilst your pet may may not be miraculously 'cured' from any fear whatsoever of loud bangs, using these techniques should certainly help and, over the past 20 years, countless pet owners have reported a marked improvement in their pet's stress levels during the firework season by following these techniques and administering RELAX.
TIPS:
Administer the 'Relax' Blend to your pet's food/water/treats as per instructions (see below). For best results also administer for up to 10 days before the firework season has started. During the firework season give your pet the Relax Blend EVERY DAY - 3 times per day (for specific dosages please see 'Instructions For Use' below).
Also...
During the fireworks always:
TURN UP THE VOLUME ON THE TV/RADIO
CLOSE THE CURTAINS, DOORS AND WINDOWS
PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR PET TO HIDE AWAY - IF THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT. ALSO MAKE THIS SPACE AS 'SOUND PROOFED' AS POSSIBLE
YOUR BEHAVIOUR REALLY COUNTS!
Therefore during the fireworks always...
BEHAVE IN A CALM, RELAXED AND 'NORMAL' WAY - YAWN, STRETCH, RECLINE ETC.
DON'T RESPOND TO THE FIREWORKS (pretend they are a completely normal occurrence, like a car door slamming for example)
DON'T OVERLY COMFORT (OR FUSS) YOUR PET AS THIS WILL CONFIRM THAT THERE IS SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT
If you use these techniques whist administering 'Relax' your pet should be less distressed and you too should have a less fraught evening.
Other advice
It is helpful if you try to put yourself in your pet’s mindset and try to understand how frightening it must be for them to hear terrifying explosions happening right outside their house. Therefore, it is important that you stay calm and most crucially - act normal.
DESENSITISATION
It can be helpful to desensitize your pet from loud bangs, however this takes more time and effort and, for best effect, must be done consistently throughout the year.
There are a number of ‘noise CD’s’ that you can buy which contain a multitude of odd sounds including: bangs and whizzes. Throughout the year you should slowly introduce your pet to the noises on the CD by initially playing it VERY quietly in the background.
The aim is to encourage your pet to make ‘good associations’ with the strange noises. Therefore when the CD is playing you should dispense very small, tasty treats (e.g. chicken) that have been coated in a drop (or a spray) of RELAX blend.
As the desensitization progresses (over a number of weeks) you should gradually increase the volume of the CD. Always administer the RELAX coated treats, use an ‘up -beat’ tone of voice and portray an excited demeanor (similar to how you would behave if you were about to ask your pet if they ‘want to go for a walk’). In other words you are trying to convince your pet that: ‘when there is a strange loud bang, GOOD things happen’.
Eventually you should progress so that the CD is at the loudest volume that you can bear (to mimic the sound of real fireworks as closely as possible).
You should also, preferably, play the CD (and administer the treats) while in the same room as the CD player AND in other rooms, so that the noises sound like they are outside (as real fireworks are).
Once you have completed this programme (over several months), you can stop the vigorous desensitization and instead occasionally repeat it every so often, perhaps once a fortnight.
When the real fireworks season begins, continue to administer the treats coated in RELAX whenever they hear a bang (and they're frightened). Also add a few drops (or sprays) to their water supply.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
During the fireworks season give your pet the Relax Blend EVERY DAY - 3 times per day. Also while the fireworks (bangs and whizzes) are actually happening...
DROPPER BOTTLE:
Put 3-12 drops (*depending on size of animal) on small treats or directly into the animal's mouth every 10 minutes or until soothed. Also add to the animal's water supply.
*A small bird may need up to 3 drops or a horse may need up to 12 drops.
TIP: In emergency situations, if your pet is unable or unwilling to eat treats, drink or take drops - administer to your pet's gums by calmly and gently lifting their lip (at the side) and placing drops onto their gums. Alternatively calmly place drops onto their paws/front legs so that they can lick the drops off.
SPRAY BOTTLE:
Spray 1-5 times (*depending on size of animal) around the animal every 10 minutes or until soothed. Or spray on treats and administer. Also add to the animal's water supply.
*A small bird may need 1 spray or a horse may need up to 5 sprays.
TIP: alternatively spray on the animal's fur so that they can lick it off or spray onto your hands and gently and slowly stroke your pet (from under the chin and down the neck to the chest) until soothed.
Thereafter give 'Relax' 3 times daily if required (e.g. if the animal appears to have been deeply traumatised by a frightening event).
TIP: For an upcoming event (e.g. the firework season, dog show, long journey or a visit to the vets or groomers) administer 'Relax' 3 times daily for up to 10 days prior to the event.
Do not spray in eyes/open wounds.
Please note: in an emergency 'Relax' can be used for a short period alongside our other 'constitutional' Blends (if they are already taking another of our blends)
Note: Flower Essences are not a substitute for correct medical or veterinary care. If your pet appears unwell always see the vet to rule out any illness or physical weakness.
For FREE advice please ring our helpline: 07000 785337 (this is not a premium rate number; calls are charged at your normal rate).
