As Lane Cove gears up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove has shared expert tips to help keep our furry family members safe, calm and comfortable.
Why New Year’s Eve Is Stressful for Pets
New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration, but for many pets it can be one of the most stressful nights of the year. Loud fireworks, parties, unfamiliar visitors and changes to routine can all create anxiety and increase the risk of pets escaping or becoming injured.
We spoke with Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove, who shared the expert advice below to help you keep your pets cool and protected this summer.
“New Year’s Eve is a night when pets commonly go missing, or just generally have a pretty miserable time. Preparing early and creating a safe environment for them can make a real difference in keeping them calm.” — Dr Matt, Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove
Update Your Pet’s Microchip and ID Details
The most important step is to make sure your pet’s microchip information is up to date on the NSW Pet Registry. Check your phone number, address and email — these need to be correct so you can be contacted quickly if your pet slips out during the excitement or becomes frightened by fireworks. A properly fitted collar and ID tag with your contact number are also essential backups.
Nurse Emma says, “If you need to know your pet’s microchip number and check the Pet Registry, just pop into the clinic with your pet and we can scan them for you on the spot. It’s a step that easily slips people’s minds when they have a new pet. Probably half of the lost pets that are brought in to us have microchip details that are old, or were simply never registered properly in the first place.”
Prepare a Safe Space Before the Fireworks Begin
Fireworks are a major cause of panic for pets. Many animals are frightened by the loud bangs and bright flashes, which can lead them to hide, shake, pace or desperately try to escape.
Before fireworks begin, bring pets indoors and close windows and doors. Create a safe space with their bed, blankets and favourite toys. Some pets find comfort in dim lighting or soft background noise like a TV, fan or gentle music to help drown out the sounds from outside.
When to Talk to Your Vet About Calming Therapies
If your pet becomes highly stressed, panicked or has severe noise anxiety, Advanced Vet Care recommends speaking with your vet ahead of time. “If you know that your pet gets stressed out or has severe noise anxiety, come in for a chat ahead of time about calming therapies and medications that are appropriate for your pet,” adds Dr Matt.
Parties, Guests and Open Doors: Hidden Risks for Pets
Parties and guests can also pose an unanticipated risk to pets. Extra noise, unfamiliar people coming and going and open doors can make it easy for pets to slip out unnoticed.
Ask visitors to be mindful of your pets and remind them not to leave doors or gates open. Better yet, provide your pet with a calm space away from the party where they won’t be disturbed, with access to water and the familiar comfort of their bed. Many pets may prefer to spend the night in a quiet room away from the celebrations altogether.
Common New Year’s Hazards to Watch Out For
Hazards around New Year’s gatherings such as alcohol, food, decorations and party poppers can also be dangerous. Keep food and drinks well out of reach, secure your bins and dispose of used party poppers or sparklers immediately so curious pets aren’t tempted to chew on them.
Nurse Emma adds, “People also tend to get a bit rowdy on New Year’s Eve. I’ve seen injuries from people accidentally tripping over or treading on a pet, broken glass in paws and foreign bodies removed from curious bellies!”
Going Out for the Night? Set Your Pet Up Safely
If you’re going out for the night, ensure your pet is safely indoors, with windows and blinds closed and background noise playing before you leave. Let a neighbour know you’ll be out so they can contact you if there’s an issue, or use a pet cam app to keep an eye on things at home.
A Calm and Happy Start to the New Year
With some planning and preparation, you can help your pet stay calm, safe and secure as you welcome the new year. A few simple steps — like updating microchip details, creating a comfortable hiding space and reducing exposure to loud noises — will help ensure your furry friend starts the year in the best way possible.
Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove – Holiday Hours & Contact
Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove is open their usual hours across the holidays (excluding public holidays):
- Weekdays: 8am – 7pm
- Weekends: 8am – 3pm
You can reach the clinic on 8552 7800.
👉 advancedvetcarelanecove.com.au
This is a sponsored post. A big thank you to Advanced Vet Care Lane Cove for supporting In the Cove and for providing these valuable summer safety tips for our local pet owners.
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