Owners ignore noise phobias in their pets! Tue 22nd Sep

Striking new research1 amongst veterinary professionals conducted by CEVA Animal Health, manufacturer of D.A.P.® and Feliway®, has revealed that pet owners may be unintentionally fuelling their pets’ noise phobias in the run up to the fireworks’ season.

Recent research has suggested that 77% of owners have never taken action to address their pets’ noise phobias as the fireworks’ season is only an annual occurrence. This is despite evidence that noise phobias can affect pets all year round and tend to become worse over time. Moreover, up to 95% of well meaning owners may even be fuelling firework fears by reacting inappropriately, such as petting an anxious pet while fireworks are going off rather than making an effort to ignore the fireworks and thereby reassuring the pet by behaving normally.

In addition, the research revealed that if owners do seek advice from their vet for noise phobias it is at the last minute, as it is estimated that 46% of people leave it until the day before the fireworks are due to go off before seeking help.

“Owners are not doing enough to protect their pets from their firework fears and noise phobias and, if they are taking action, they often leave it until the last minute to seek advice which is too late,” says Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health. “If your pet suffers during the fireworks’ season, please seek advice from your vet well in advance of Bonfire Night. It is vital your dog or cat is as comfortable as possible before the fireworks start so that they are in the best possible frame of mind to deal with the challenge.”

CEVA Animal Health and Sound Therapy 4 Pets have once more joined forces with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and PDSA to launch a ‘Remember, remember your pets this November’ campaign to provide owners with advice on how to look after their pets during the firework season and the precautions they should take to help them cope with their fear of fireworks.

The initiative features a wide range of advice including how to use synthetic copies of natural pheromones, D.A.P. ® and Feliway®, to help comfort and reassure fearful pets, creating a comforting den for dogs to retreat to during firework exposure and treating noise phobias using behavioural therapy with the Sounds Scary desensitisation CD (which is the only behavioural therapy product for noise phobias supported by the RSPCA).

For further information on how to prepare your pet for the firework season, please contact your vet or visit www.petfireworkfear.co.uk.

References
1 - Survey of 104 veterinary professionals, including vets, vet nurses and receptionists, in July and August 2009.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors is an international network of experienced and qualified pet behaviour counsellors who treat behaviour problems on referral from veterinary surgeons. To find your nearest member visit www.apbc.org.uk.

Feline Advisory Bureau
The Feline Advisory Bureau is a charity dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of cats through improved feline knowledge, to help us all care better for our cats (www.fabcats.org).

PDSA
Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, provides free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership (www.pdsa.org.uk).

For further press information or photography, please contact:
Jessica Henman at Vita Communications on 01488 683862 or email jessica.henman@vitacomms.com