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Bonfire Night is a time for fun and celebration, but can also be a distressing time of year for household pets. Fireworks can be dangerous as well as scary, and you need to plan ahead to keep your pets safe.

Bonfire Night or also known as Guy Fawkes Night is on November 5th and is an annual celebration. The origins of the celebration lies in the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes and a number of Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London.

This event takes place all over the United Kingdom with both private and public celebrations. There are firework displays and bonfires, not just on the night itself but often spanning an entire week or more. There are many traditional foods that are eaten on Bonfire Night. These include bonfire toffee and parkin. You can also eat toffee apples, jacket potatoes and black peas and vinegar. This is a wonderful and fun British custom that the whole family can enjoy.

The RSPCA says about 45% of dogs in the UK will show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. Don't scold them for barking or being afraid as this will just exacerbate the anxious behaviour.Traditionally, Bonfire Night always sees an increase in dogs becoming missing. This is because they can run away after being frightened by the fireworks and noise.

To prevent your dog from becoming one of the missing animals during this celebration you should keep them indoors when fireworks are going off. You will want to make sure all doors and windows are firmly shut so your dog can’t run outdoors. Remember to secure the dog flap too. To prevent your pets from becoming missing you should have them tagged or micro chipped to ensure they will be returned if they are lost. You can prevent your dog from being distressed on Bonfire Night by planning ahead and making sure your pet is indoors and comfortable.

All animals can be terrified of fireworks and you can eliminate some of the stress by following some general guidelines. Also remember that small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits can also be frightened by the noise. If possible bring small animals indoors. If that is not possible then you should put them inside an outhouse or garden shed to give them more protection from the noise.You can play the TV or a radio in the background to muffle the noise from the fireworks. Try playing games with your dog whilst fireworks are being let off, or stroking him to calm him down. If you pay attention to them they will associate the noise with something nice and not scary.

Horses have to be protected from fireworks too. Sometimes the noise from fireworks could make a horse bolt and thus be at risk of injury. You should make sure that all of your horses, donkeys and ponies are stabled during fireworks. You should close the stable door so the fireworks can’t be viewed by your equine companions.

You will want to keep your cats indoors too, and make sure all cat flaps, windows and doors are shut tight. You might want to have your cat tagged or micro chipped in case they are lost or go missing during Bonfire Night. If your cat wants to hide or take refuge somewhere just let them be. You can cause them more stress if you try to coax them out of hiding.

To make this night as easy as possible on your pet dogs and cats you will want to plan ahead. During the day you should make sure you give your dog plenty of exercise before putting them indoors for the evening. You should never walk your dog while fireworks are being let off. They can become frightened and bolt out into traffic or become missing. Your feline friend may need lots of attention and soothing if of a nervous disposition.

If fireworks are an annual misery for your pet dog, ask your vet for advice. There are long term solutions for desensitising pets to fireworks. You can get information about these at your vet’s office. Your vet will advise you on what treatments can be used. They might prescribe a sedative to help your dog stay calm. If you are going to use a sedative make sure you give it to your dog before the fireworks even begin. This way the medication will have time to take effect.

The RSPCA has a leaflet that contains practical advice on how to use sound therapy. They have also teamed up with Sound Therapy 4 Pets to endorse the Sounds Scary CD Therapy. Most owners don’t realise that the fear and trauma your pets can go through is a treatable problem. There is a multitude of advice available which can help you and your pets through this difficult time.

Bonfire Night should be a time of celebration and fun - knowing that our pets are safe will help this to be the case. With a little planning and preparation not only can you protect your pets from some of the traumas and potential injuries associated with fireworks but also your pocket from unexpected vets bills with dog insurance, cat insurance and even horse insurance by Animal Friends Insurance

If you have a pet, there is always the possibility that an accident or illness that could cost a lot of money at the vet. For some people, this is no problem but for others it is a major concern because they just simply do not have the money sitting around to pay for such an expense. To make sure that your pet is safe and covered in the event anything happens, you will want to make sure that you have the best pet insurance for dogs available. There are a number of coverage policies that will give you the best pet medical insurance program without costing a fortune.

If you have anything less than the best pet medical insurance, you might not get full coverage and you will still facing expensive vet bills. In order to avoid debt and high bills, you want to make sure that you get the best pet medical insurance to give you the coverage and protection you and your pet needs. To do that you are really going to have to make sure that you are doing enough research to know which the best pet medical insurance is and which is just garbage.

How To Research

A great way to research about the various pet insurance companies and plans out there is to read up on each company individually. You will get to know each of the different companies and their coverage plans thoroughly when you read about each company thoroughly. Try to find other perspectives on the pet insurance company by reading what other pet owners have to say that are currently with the pet insurance provider. After thorough research, you will know exactly what pet insurance coverage will be right for you and your pet.

When you call the copmany and talk with their customer service department, you can ask specific questions to really see if the company is the best pet medical insurance provider for you. You want to be sure that the best pet medical insurance company is able to talk with you and has a customer service department that you'd want to deal with again in the future. You want to make sure that you have the best pet medical insurance provider so be proactive and thoroughly research all the possibilities.

Confused about whether you actually need pet insurance? Read some of our in-depth reviews and learn as much as you can before you decide. Embrace Pet Health Insurance is one of our most recent reviews of an excellent option.

By: Dr. Robert Sleeter