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Home / Lifestyle / Experts Warn Fireworks Pose 'Trauma' for Millions of UK Pets

Experts Warn Fireworks Pose 'Trauma' for Millions of UK Pets

Summary

  • Fireworks displays can cause severe stress and anxiety for dogs
  • One dog owner's beloved whippet died after suffering a stroke from fireworks
  • Experts advise owners to prepare their dogs and avoid spontaneous fireworks
Experts Warn Fireworks Pose 'Trauma' for Millions of UK Pets

As numerous fireworks displays are set to take place over the coming months, canine experts are warning dog owners that the loud noises and bright flashes can have a devastating impact on pets. According to the experts, the situation is "nothing short of trauma" for millions of dogs across the UK.

Jo Boughton-White, who runs the UK's oldest herbal pet care company, has joined forces with dog trainer and behaviorist Adem Fehmi to advise owners on how to prepare their anxious dogs for this stressful time. They have urged the public to avoid hosting unorganized or spontaneous firework displays, as these are harder to predict and leave pets vulnerable.

The consequences of these noisy displays can be tragic, as evidenced by the heartbreaking story of Lucy Gell's beloved whippet, Betsy. Betsy suffered a stroke and ultimately had to be euthanized due to the severe stress caused by fireworks. Experts warn that this type of incident is all too common, with an estimated 4.1 million dogs in the UK afraid of fireworks.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

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Experts advise dog owners to prepare their anxious dogs by creating a safe and inviting space, playing calming music, and using distractions like food toys or games. They also recommend researching herbal products or seeking veterinary advice if their dog has a severe reaction to fireworks.
Adem Fehmi, a dog trainer and behaviorist, has spent over 20 years tackling canine behavioral issues, including those stemming from anxiety. He advises owners to gradually expose their dogs to firework sounds and sights to help desensitize them, and to exercise their dogs early on the day of fireworks displays to help them settle.
Betsy, a whippet owned by Lucy Gell from Derbyshire, suffered a severe reaction to fireworks that led to a stroke. Betsy lost the use of one of her back legs, and her tongue turned white. Tragically, Betsy had to be euthanized as a result of the fireworks-related incident.

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