Rhiannon Ingle
Brits have been issued with a serious warning over key worrying signs to look out for in your pet ahead of Bonfire Night.
Anyone with a furry critter, no matter how big or small, will know all too well about just how distressing the festivities of fireworks can be for them come the 5th of November.
So, to help pet owners out, a vet has shared her expertise on exactly you need to be mindful of when the sky's set alight with a seemingly relentless show of Rockets, Fountains, Catherine Wheels and all the rest.
Everypaw vet, Dr Anna Foreman, highlighted the importance of looking out for 'early signs of anxiety' in your four-legged friends, like your pooch.
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These can include; yawning, licking their nose/lips, turning their head or whole body away, having their ears back and creeping low to the floor if they are distressed.
Dogs may also hide away in an enclosed or covered space such as under the bed.
Dr Anna continues: "As well as signs of anxiety, these are also early signs of aggression and if a dog is not handled correctly when showing these signs, they may turn aggressive and growl, snap, or even bite."
And as for cats?
Well, the vet explains that cats are like dogs 'in that they may freeze, run or become aggressive'.
"Cat bites and scratches can be as serious as those sustained from dogs," Dr Anna warns.
She also adds that outdoor cats may attempt to seek shelter wherever they can - which can sometimes include an unlit bonfire.
Dr Anna notes that small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs 'tend to freeze or run when anxious' as they do not have the capacity to fight effectively.
"They may be found hunched in one spot with their eyes closed, or equally may be trying to escape out of their enclosure in a panic," she said.
"There is significant risk of injury in the latter situation."
Speaking generally about keeping your pets safely during fireworks season, Dr Anna added: "Ultimately an anxious animal can be unpredictable - some freeze, some run, some hide away, and some can become aggressive, it depends on what their 'flight or fight' response is telling them."
Dr Anna has put together a handy list of do's and don't's.
The do's include providing your pet with a 'hidey-hole' that they can cosy up in during the fireworks, adding: "For small furries this may be a padded nesting box, and for dogs and cats this may be a covered crate or enclosed bed."
She also advises keeping pets indoors during firework displays and bonfires as well as putting music on to cover up the noise of fireworks.
"Ideally classical or smooth/quiet audio, or even an audiobook or podcast, is best," the vet says.
And as for the don't's?
Well, Dr Anna explains most importantly: " Don't let an animal get distressed in the first place - prevention is by far the best, through proper preparation."
Pet owners should also be sure to not ignore 'low level stress' which could later 'progress to high level stress'.
And lastly, Dr Anna adds: "Don't interfere with your animal in their safe space if they are hiding away - they may become territorial due to fear and show signs of aggression."