Dog behaviourist Suzi Walsh is acutely aware of the noise-related stress facing pets at this time of year, but she says help is a simple download away.
Ms Walsh said the musical catalogue of the late Jamaican singer could hold the answer to dog owners’ prayers.
The 41-year-old, from Drumcondra, Dublin, said: “Bob Marley is a great way to drown out fireworks for dogs.
“It’s calming music and Bob Marley is particularly good because of the steel drums, which can mask the sound of fireworks.
“The frequency of steel drums is quite similar to fireworks to the ears of dogs, and it can really conceal the sound.
“Just keep playing the tracks. You’ll see on Spotify that there’s a lot of Bob Marley played at Halloween. That’s dog owners using the music to mask the sound of fireworks.”
Ms Walsh said the sound of fireworks is terrifying for dogs because they hear them at a much louder and higher frequency than humans.
The impact fireworks have on all animals is awful. Prepare your dog as best you can
As part of her job, she visits pets in distress in people’s homes, helping to read and improve their behaviour.
She said this time of year can be particularly stressful for dogs and humans.
Owners must take precautions to ensure their pets do not run off when spooked.
Ms Walsh added that as long as fireworks are going off, dogs should not be taken out for a walk.
“The impact fireworks have on all animals is awful,” she said. “Prepare your dog as best you can.
“If a dog is hiding under a surface, they can injure themselves. It’s best to speak to a vet if this is a serious problem – if the dog is petrified – and to get anti-anxiety medication for the night of Halloween or in the lead-up to Halloween.
“But if your dog is just a bit scared, set yourself up for success. Exercise your dog earlier in the day to avoid fireworks.
“Go to parks and make sure you do activities outside for your dog, such as sniffing exercises.
“Make sure you try not to have your dog too exposed to Halloween activity. Set up a den with chew toys and treats they like.”
Dogs can suffer extreme anxiety around Halloween and New Year because of fireworks. Photo: Getty
Treats distract dogs and help focus their attention away from fireworks. She said ear muffs can also be used to drown out the intrusive sounds.
There is also the possibility of taking the “emergency exit” option if Halloween is a particularly difficult time for you and your pet.
“You could always take off to a remote part of Ireland to escape the noise,” she said.
The most important thing to do is show your dog plenty of affection.
Ms Walsh said: “If you comfort your pet, you’ll make them feel secure. Put them in a room where they can sleep. Give them a cuddle, talk to them and it will definitely help.
“Use scents like lavender in the room and something that smells of you for your dog to lie on.
“Some dogs need vet intervention, but there are some mild cases of anxiety that can be handled this way.”
Looking ahead to preventive measures, Ms Walsh said if people “desensitise” their pets to the sound of fireworks from June onwards, dogs can become accustomed to the sound by Halloween.
This can be done by playing the sound low and increasing the volume slowly.
Some dogs might need to be managed with certain behaviour modification in the home
Ms Walsh said dogs should be kept away from children if they are alarmed by fireworks as they can become aggressive.
Vet Colm de Barra, from Dublin Bay Vets in Clongriffin, north Dublin, said anxiety in dogs is a common issue that can be particularly prevalent at Halloween and New Year’s Eve because of so many fireworks being set off.
“This close to Halloween, people need a short-term solution,” he said.
“Depending on the severity of the anxiety, some dogs might need to be managed with certain behaviour modification in the home.
“At the severe end of the scale, the best option is short-term anxiety medication.”
Concerned dog owners should see their vets for advice and treatment, if deemed necessary, in the days before Halloween, Mr de Barra added.
Both experts advised against allowing dogs to eat chocolate Halloween treats or to even be near sweet wrappers, as they can ingest those too.
Chocolate and wrappers can make pets ill.
