Fireworks – it’s no party for pets!

Would you want this to happen to your cat or dog?

A cat has become the first fatality of the fireworks season after suffering severe burns and a deep wound in a suspected firework attack in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

The incident has prompted the RSPCA to remind pet owners to protect their animals and follow the firework code.

It is believed a firework had been attached to the tail of four-year-old tabby Jay.

It later had to be put down because its injuries were so serious.

RSPCA inspector Catherine Byrnes said: “He was in agony.

– Cat killed in firework attack

Fireworks may be beautiful and enjoyable for us two-legged ones, but the furries, they may be just nuisance for some, scary for most, and downright fatal for the unfortunate ones.

Common signs of fireworks phobia

• Shaking, trembling
• Excessive drooling
• Barking, howling
• Trying to hide or get into / out of the house, fence, or other enclosure
• Refusing to eat food
• Some animals may loose bladder or bowel control or experience temporary diarrhea from prolonged stress

Practice Safety

• Keep pets indoors. It is advisable to close the curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. A quiet place, such as a carrier, may provide your pet with a sense of security and comfort.
• Use a leash or carrier. If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in carrier at all times.
• Practice fire safety. Keep pet away from matches, open fires, and fireworks – especially ones that are lighted on the ground. Pets may try to sniff (or eat) fireworks, and pet hair can easily catch fire if too close to the fireworks.
• Take pet for a walk first. If possible, make sure that you pet has time to “use the restroom” before the fireworks start. Some pets are too frightened to void once the fireworks begin, and this may lead to an “accident” later on.
• Make sure pet ID is current. Make sure that your pet has proper identification tags, with current information, in case s/he gets away. This will help the local authorities (who are quite busy this time of year handling frightened runaways).

From Pets and Fireworks – Safety considerations

Fireworks really are no party for our dogs and cats. So please, during the firework seasons of New Year’s Eve/Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Mid-Autumn/Lantern Festival, Christmas, National Day, Deepavali, do the sensible thing – keep your cats and dogs indoor.

Please, Remember, Remember…Your Cat During Fireworks Season.
If your pet already suffers from fireworks phobia, you may find some helpful tips here: Fear of Fireworks

More information: The Call for Quiet Fireworks campaign in Europe, led by the RSPCA (UK).

Lastly, here’s a nicely laid-out pamphlet on helping your pets cope with fireworks season that you can conveniently print out, in pdf format: Fireworks can be fun for you… but not your animals

(Created: 6 Oct 06)