Are you concerned with how to keep your pets and garden safe on Bonfire Night? Worried about how the fireworks may affect your animal or outside space?
You may be asking how to keep pets safe on Bonfire Night? Have no fear you’re not alone, with Bonfire Night looming, care and consideration should be taken to help your pets and garden stay safe this fireworks night.
According to RSPCA, 69% of adult pet owners take measures to help relax and prepare their pets for Bonfire Night.
It’s always recommended to keep pets inside and safe on Bonfire Night and during fireworks.
Below we’ve listed some simple and effective ways to manage your pets, help wildlife and keep your garden safe this Bonfire Night.
A Soundless Sanctuary
Our pets’ hearing is far superior to ours, especially on Bonfire Night. what may seem like a muted ‘bang’ in the distance can be significantly louder to our pets’ ears.
Keep your pets safe this Bonfire Night by doing everything you can to minimise external noises (such as fireworks or even crowds of bonfire-goers). This is the best route to reduce your pet’s anxiety.
Most pets like to retreat to their own space when seeking refuge and to feel safe, a dog bed or favourite pillow for a catnap. But why not create a cosy den for your pet to burrow into to help them feel safe from the fireworks on Bonfire Night.
Top Tips for Pet Safety on Bonfire Night:
- Close windows
- Draw curtains and blinds
- Cover garden hutches or pet cages with a safe breathable blanket to muffle sounds
- Move pet hutches out of the garden and inside for the night (space permitting)
Early Exercise On Bonfire Night
We all know the sleepier we are the less observant and aware we are. This is also true for our pets.
It’s best to walk pets earlier on Bonfire Night. Play with pets in the garden before evening comes, this results in waning attentiveness in your pet come evening when the fireworks start. Instead of worrying about unfamiliar sounds of fireworks and other Bonfire Night noises, your pet is more likely to feel safe and curl up to get some much-needed rest.
Everyone Enjoys a Treat
Food is a great distraction. Saving a few of your pet’s daily allowance of treats for the Bonfire Night evening is an effective tactic for distraction.
A surprise ‘pet-safe’ olate drop or bone will please any pet, release pleasure endorphins. Making your pet feel happy and safe.
These hormones are known to release stress in your pet and improve overall sense of wellbeing, distracting your pets from the fireworks and any other Bonfire Night noises. Keeping these goodies in a pet treat tin, keeps them fresher for longer!
Don’t Forget About The Safety Wild Garden Animals
Fireworks on Bonfire Night aren’t just unnerving for pets; wild garden animals living in your garden such as hedgehogs and birds also find loud noises distressing.
Placing a hedgehog house in your garden allows them to hide in a safe sanctuary away from the busyness of Bonfire Night and loud fireworks. Why not place some hedgehog food in the garden for them too. They’ll be sure to revisit your garden again.
Your feathered friends on Bonfire Night, by adding a sturdy and safe bird box to a nearby tree or garden shed a few days before Bonfire Night. This gives birds a chance to explore it. A garden bird box creates much needed safe shelter from Bonfire Night smoke as well as loud firework sounds for nearby birds.
Perhaps, if they feel safe enough, they might stay and nest in your garden.
Waste Not, Want Not!
Bonfire Night may seem like a great opportunity to burn garden waste, but garden composting is much better as the nutrient rich soil can benefit your garden and keep it safe. Burning diseased plants from your garden on Bonfire Night, however, is ideal.
Use the ashes, which are packed full of potassium and lime, to add to soil anywhere in your garden to create an alkaline environment. This is better for healthier, safer garden. Studies show sprinkling ash on vegetables in your garden, inhibits disease growth too. Check bonfires for wild animals before lighting to keep them safe. Why not opt for a safer, trendy, garden fire pit this Bonfire night.
Conclusion:
Bonfire Night is there to be celebrated by family and friends together. Reap all the benefits of a safe Bonfire Night has to offer for all your garden and growing needs. You can enjoy yourself with peace of mind, knowing that your pets and garden wildlife feel safe during Bonfire Night.
When the fireworks are over, remember to give your pet some much deserved love and attention.
Happy (safe) Bonfire Night!