Australia Day Celebrations
PIA Australia
January 23, 2019
Pet Insurance Australia has some top tips to keeping your precious pets safe over this celebration.
“Australia Day is a wonderful way to celebrate everything fantastic about this stunning country we live in,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “However, if you are a pet owner it’s important you take a few minutes to consider your companion animal.”
It’s no surprise to many pet owners; the fear fireworks and celebrations can bring to cats and dogs.
“Cats and dogs can quickly become scared and disorientated during fireworks,” Crighton warns. “For some pets this can be as simple has hiding away, however for others it can mean a full-blown anxiety response.”
Pet Insurance Australia is urging all Australians to ensuring that their pets are kept safe over this celebration.
- Fireworks – consider keeping your pet indoors and developing a ‘safe room’ full of hidey holes, their favourite toys, something that smells like you, and some classical music playing.
- Entertaining – keep your pet in their ‘safe zone’ while entertaining and unable to correctly supervise your pet. Also pop notes on gates and doors to ensure your guests know to shut the gate, or to keep the dog or cat inside. Many pets go missing during celebrations.
- Consider Boarding – if you are not able to be home with your pet during this celebration consider popping your cat or dog into a boarding establishment for the night or taking them to a friend’s.
- Rubbish – Dogs in particular get themselves into all sorts of strife when it comes to rubbish. If you are entertaining on Australia Day, ensure you dispose of rubbish correctly and secure bin lids. Cooked bones are a big no-go as too skewers. The main culprits of emergency surgery due to foreign body ingestion are; cooked bones, corn cobs, broken toys, skewers, fish hooks, baits and needles, stones, socks and knickers. Encourage guests not to feed your pets during celebrations.
- Run-away – many pets will attempt escape when scared. Keeping microchip details up-to-date alongside your council registration can secure a quick return.
- Indoors – keep cats indoors for the evening, alongside plenty of food, water and a litter tray.
“If you know that your pet will suffer extreme anxiety during this celebration it’s important to seek veterinary advice,” Crighton says. “Your local vet will be able to help with possible medical intervention to ensure your pet is comfortable during this time.”
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