A Bracknell vets is advising animal lovers on how to care for their pet in the stressful firework season.
Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital in Binfield, near Bracknell, has been busy offering help as part of a 'comfort your pet' campaign.
The team are offering out leaflets with advice and guidance, as well as free nurse clinics and discounts on stress relieving treatments for your pussycat or pooch all the way through to January 5 2020.
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With extremely noisy celebrations all happening at this time of year, such as Bonfire Night, Diwali, Christmas and the New Year, pet experts are urging their owners to be well prepared for the stressful time.
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Mary Kim, of Moor Cottage Vets, said: “This is the most challenging time of year for pet owners as there are so many potential triggers of stress.
"There are the bangs of fireworks, the noisy and hectic festive season – including unfamiliar faces and smells – and, of course, there’s the possibility of thunderstorms and the earlier dark evenings.
“We suggest building a den for dogs, with its favourite toys, a Lickimat with a treat, water and a blanket to cover the cage when its noisy.”
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The hospital lists signs of anxiety in dogs as pacing, cowering or hiding, trembling, abnormal vocalisation (barking or whining), panting, excessive yawning or lip licking, a need to stay close to their owner, soiling the house and/or refusing to eat.
Similarly, the vets lists signs of anxiety in cats with symptoms such as hiding, scratching furniture, urine spraying, over-grooming (can lead to hair loss), pacing and/or vocalisation.
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