WHILE New Year celebrations can be an exciting time for us, pets might not feel the same way. Fireworks are a popular part of New Year’s Eve fun, but the loud bangs and flashes can be scary and unexpected for many of our furry friends.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “We must remember that our pets’ senses are much more sensitive than ours, so fireworks can make them feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are several ways you can take care of your four-legged friends around New Year’s Eve to help them keep calm and safe.

Prepare in advance

“Prepare your home in advance; try using a plug-in pheromone diffuser or spray, which can help to keep your pet calm. If your pet wants to hide away when the fireworks start, create a safe space to help them cope. For dogs, you could make them a den out of blankets and pillows to muffle the noises and help them feel more comfortable. Cats often feel safest if they have somewhere high up to retreat to, so make them a nice comfy spot somewhere they can access easily.

“Speak to your vet if you know your pet is likely to be stressed – they will be able to give you lots of advice, as well as prescribe medication to help keep your pet calm if needed.

Protecting your pooch

“If you’re planning on taking your pup for a walk, make sure you do this before it gets dark to avoid fireworks. After dark, keep doors, windows and curtains closed to reduce the noise. You can also try putting on the TV or playing music with a repetitive beat to help mask the sounds.

“If your canine companion prefers to go away and hide, it’s best to let them do so as this is their way of coping. However, if your furry family member comes to you for reassurance instead, make sure you’re there to offer comfort as you normally would.

Caring for your cat

“Provide litter trays indoors so your cat doesn’t have to go outside when there’s fireworks and make sure you close any doors, windows or cat flaps on the night so they can’t escape when frightened. If your cat is stressed staying inside and loves to be outdoors, let them out in the daytime but make sure they’re home well before it gets dark by feeding them at dusk.

“It might help some cats to be distracted with other activities, so try playing their favourite games, but if they’re happier hiding away, leave them to it.

Supervising small pets

“If you usually keep your pet in a hutch outside, bring them inside or put the hutch in a car-free garage or shed to protect them from noise. Of course, this might not be possible in some cases, so you could always pop some thick blankets over the top of their hutch, making sure to leave some gaps for ventilation, and add extra bedding. This will help to soundproof their enclosure while also keeping your furry friends feeling warm and safe.

“If you’re planning on having a bonfire as part of the celebrations, make sure this is nowhere near small pets and smoke isn’t drifting towards their hutches.”

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education and treatment. Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. This winter, your support is vital for poorly pets – find out how you can help us give pets a fighting chance at www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-chance