How to keep pet dogs, cats safe during New Year revelries

Animal and environmental advocates on Sunday reminded the public that New Year celebrations can be stressful for pet dogs and cats, as they have much sharper hearing than humans.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the loud sounds from firecrackers can cause more than just stress to pets.

PAWS volunteer veterinarian Anne Almazar said pets may show various signs of distress.

“Nagte-tremble sila, nanginginig, naglalaway, hingal na hingal po sila. Yung iba nagtatago, yung iba naninigas na lang. Yung iba sobrang aligaga, and then dahil aligaga sila, gusto na nila pong tumakas,” said PAWS volunteer veterinarian Anne Almazar.

(They tremble, shiver, drool, and pant heavily. Some hide, while others freeze. Others become extremely restless, and because of their agitation, they try to escape.)

She added that stress could worsen underlying health conditions in some animals.

“Yung iba naman po, kapag may underlying viral condition, nagmu-mutate yung virus sa kanilang katawan kapag na-stress sila,” Almazar said. 

(For pets with underlying viral conditions, stress may trigger mutations in the virus inside their bodies.) 

Aside from noise, chemicals from firecrackers also pose a threat to animals.

“May taglay na heavy metal, ibig sabihin toxic ito, bukod sa pulbura. Humahalo sa hangin yung harmful effects nito,” said Ecowaste Coalition spokesperson Aileen Lucero. 

(Firecrackers contain heavy metals, which are toxic, aside from gunpowder. These harmful substances mix into the air.)

With New Year revelries approaching, animal welfare groups urged the public to avoid lighting firecrackers to protect pets.

“Magpukpok na lang tayo ng kaldero natin, mag-torotot (Let’s just bang pots and pans or use party horns instead),” said PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera. 

Meanwhile, some pet owners shared how they keep their pets safe during New Year celebrations.

“Tinatago namin sila sa loob ng kwarto, at the same time, nilalagyan na lang namin ng music (We keep them inside the room and play music to help calm them,)" Anthony Mapa said. 

“Nung ika-second year, bumili na ako ng ear muffs. Ayun ang medyo nakatulong sa kanya (On the second year, I bought ear muffs, and that really helped)," said Aaron Cal. 

Aside from ear muffs, calming wraps may also help reduce anxiety in pet dogs and cats due to their hug-like effect.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News