Reduce your pets anxiety this Halloween with these four effective stress-relieving methods
The decorations are up, the costumes are ready and the treats have been prepared. Halloween is just around the corner and you can feel the excitement in the air. While we enjoy the celebrations this bank-holiday weekend, it is important to not forget about our pets. It can be a stressful time for our furry friends as their highly-sensitive ears are exposed to loud noises such as fireworks. Below, are some ways to ease your pets stress and anxiety this Halloween night.
1. Keep them indoors
Keeping your pets indoors with all doors and windows closed will help to drown out any loud noises that may spook them. If you would like to take it one step further, Ashwood Vetinary Centre in Co Leitrim recommend building your four-legged buddy a safe space/den that will ensure they feel extra safe and protected throughout any loud, scary noises. Set up the den in an area they naturally gravitate towards, such as under the kitchen table. Line a cardboard box with some comfy blankets or their bed and fill it with their favourite toys. Finally, cover the box with a blanket and leave an opening for your pet to come and go as they please.
2. Don’t dress them up
While seeing an animal in costume can be a sight for sore eyes, it is often a stress-inducing experience for them. Keeping them as relaxed as possible is the main aim, so refraining from zipping them into an uncomfortable outfit will help to ease anxiety in your pets.
3. Keep them on their lead
If you do have to bring them outdoors, make sure to keep them on their lead at all times. This will ensure that if your pet does get spooked, they can’t run away. Staying calm and bringing them straight home to safety is the best way to reassure your pet that everything is alright. If they do happen to run away, ensuring that they are micro-chipped and registered will help to find them as quickly as possible.
4. Use CBD products to reduce anxiety
Hemp Heros have released a range of pet-friendly products to keep them calm in stressful situations such as Halloween. These include CBD capsules, CBD drops and CBD infused ‘Pooch Butter’. The products are non-toxic, non-addictive, non-intoxicating and are 100% natural. They are also suitable for pets of all sizes. Prices range from €7.99 to €250 and can be purchased at hempheros.ie.
