Pet Owners Warned of Bonfire Night Dangers

The Annual Events Can Cause Great Distress to Cats and Dogs

It is fast approaching Bonfire Night in the UK and with it people will be heading out to outdoor displays of bonfires and fireworks. But what does that mean for the nation’s pets? As ever pet insurance providers are being quick to point out the best ways of keeping pets safe on the 5th November and, as a result, avoiding a costly visit to the vet, which would lead to making a claim on pet insurance policies.

Churchill Pet Insurance has issued a press release with a number of tips for keeping pets safe this year and this has been picked up by a number of different sites. One of the first is to keep pets inside and not to take dogs to firework displays, where they could become distressed

“Loud noises and bright lights can frighten animals and cause them to panic, become disorientated and even run away from home, which potentially puts them in danger should they bolt into a busy road,” said  Pete Bishenden, the spokesperson for Churchill Pet Insurance. “Keep your pet away from any danger and settle them in an area of the home where they feel safe and secure to decrease the risk of any anxiety when the fireworks get going.”

Other tips include keeping windows and doors closed and using the television or radio to drown out the noise of fireworks, ensuring dogs are walked prior to the start of events, ensuring they are micro-chipped/identifiable if they run away and providing a safe place for pets that become distressed. Meanwhile, owners should also remain calm around them, remove firework debris once they have cooled down and, of course, ensuring you have a pet insurance policy in place should it be required.

It is regularly pointed out that pet insurance will save pet owners money in the long run, particularly if an unexpected accident requires potentially costly veterinary treatment. By having pet insurance owners can avoid becoming out-of-pocket and by taking into account the tips provided they can avoid a potential trip to the vet altogether.