[caption id="attachment_48011" align="alignleft" width="150"] Image: Erin K.[/caption]
New Year’s Eve is a great time to get together with friends and family, but use common sense when it comes to your furry family members.
Many times groups of people can create unwanted stress and anxiety for your pets, and it is important to provide a “safe” environment away from the noises of the evening.
Be sure to follow these tips to keep your pets safe as you count down to 2019:
1. Keep Pets Indoors: Many animals have a fear of loud noises which can cause them to jump fences or dig out of yards to try to “escape”. Keep your pet indoors in a warm, familiar area, and consider playing a radio with soothing music to drown out loud, unexpected noises.
2. Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can be extremely dangerous if ingested by a dog or cat. Be sure you and your guests keep a close eye on your drinks. Symptoms of alcohol toxicity include drooling, vomiting, weakness, and a rapid heartbeat. Should this occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.
3. Keep Your Pets Separate: If you’re having people over and your pet isn’t used to crowds, it’s probably best to set up a spot in a separate room. Provide food, water, a comfy spot to rest, and some toys to help distract your pet from the commotion.
This year there is a new option for dogs who suffer from symptoms of noise aversion. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that its Center for Veterinary Medicine has approved Pexion, a Boehringer Ingelheim prescription pet medication that can be used to treat noise aversion in dogs.
This anxiety medication is intended for dogs who are “sensitive to loud noises such as fireworks, street/traffic noises and gunshots,” according to the news release. Pexion will be available by prescription only because a licensed veterinarian is needed to determine whether Pexion is an appropriate treatment.