Building a Den for your Pet

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Fireworks season is just around the corner which can often mean one thing for our furry-friends…Fear.

Bright lights, loud noises and unfamiliar people can all be triggers of anxiety and stress for our pets.

By creating your pet their very own den, you’ll be offering them a safe haven where they can feel comforted and secure.

Here are our top tips on how you can build a den for your pet to help to reduce their stress and anxiety.

Building your pet’s den

• Position the den away from the main room where you spend most of your time in the evening, somewhere quiet where your pet can rest easily with few interruptions.

• Ensure there’s plenty of space for your pet so they can move around, stand up and enter and leave the den freely so they do not feel confined or trapped.

• For dogs, consider using an indoor crate or a table and chairs covered in blankets to help muffle any loud sounds. Make it snug by filling with their favourite blankets, beds and toys to make it as cosy as possible.

• For cats, it’s best to create a safe space for them somewhere up high. Alternatively, an ‘igloo’ type bed can be a great addition to the home if your cat is feeling stressed. Your cat will feel safe and hidden away from harm. Add some of their favourite cat-nip filled toys and spray with the Feliway calming spray to help support them.

• Ensure your pet has access to clean drinking water so they do not need to leave their safe space if they feel thirsty.

• Play some music or turn on your television to help mask the sound of fireworks outside.

Never force your pet into their new den, and ease them in gently so they know it’s a space for comfort and positivity.

Using calming products

Diffusers such as Adaptil and Feliway are great for constant support in the home and a welcome addition to the room where your den is positioned. They release pheromones which give dogs and cats a sense of security in stressful situations.

It’s recommended that the diffusers are plugged in two weeks prior to the event. Once in, they can last up to four weeks.

If you are concerned and your pet has been previously very scared or shown panic towards fireworks, consider mixing the pheromone based room diffusers along with a calming supplement too. Products like Zylkene can be easily sprinkled onto food.

If you’re very concerned, please talk to your vet for further advice.

It’s always worthwhile having a pet insurance policy in place. For example, you could get help with advertising & reward should your pet go missing due to being worried about fireworks.