MANILA, Philippines – While we humans party and celebrate on New Year’s Eve, our pets aren’t exactly having the time of their lives.

Pets – like dogs and cats – are particularly sensitive to the loud noises and fumes from firecrackers that have come to define New Year celebrations.

“Prolonged exposure to deafening noise, blinding lights, and suffocating fumes may damage animals’ sensitive ears, powerful noses, and keen eyesight,” said Heidi Caguioa of Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), a local animal welfare group.

Firecracker explosions frighten birds, cats, and dogs. The stress they must endure often causes stomach upset, loss of appetite, and disorientation that may cause further harm to your pets, she added.

AKF and environmental group EcoWaste Coalition have compiled a list of tips to keep your pets safe and happy as the world welcomes the new year with a bang.

1. Persuade members of your household to make your home a “no firecracker” zone.
2. Politely tell your neighbors not to light or throw firecrackers near your home.
3. Exercise your pets during the days leading up to the New Year’s Eve and in the next morning when the festivities are over and the smoke has cleared.
4. Give your pets a physical outlet for their pent up energy due to arousal and stress.
5. On New Year’s Eve, provide your pets with a safe place to take temporary refuge. If possible, allow them to stay in a quiet room such as a bedroom.
6. Manage the environment so it is as relaxing as possible. Close the windows, put the curtains down and play a relaxing music to neutralize the noise from the outside to help your pets feel secure.
7. Ensure your pets’ access to drinking water. Make them pee or poo.
8. Do not yell or laugh at your pets when they are cowering or shaking in fear. This is a natural response to a threat they do not understand and cannot avoid. 

– Rappler.com

Scared dog image via Shutterstock