Autumnal pet hazards
- Bunty Pumphrey
- Oct 12
- 5 min read
As it's now the autumn equinox and YES I have heard my first fireworks of this season its time for a tiny reminder of the seasonal hazards for animals, and what we can do to help.
Country Living Magazine
Firstly, I'd like to direct you to my input in a recent Country Living Magazine article on the issues of conkers/horse chestnuts. The article is beautifully put together so I'll address the headlines here:
conkers are toxic to dogs, as are the horse chestnut leaves and bark
if you are concerned your dog has eaten any part of a horse chestnut tree then please CALL your vet straight away
even if the conkers aren't chewed they can also create a blockage in the stomach or intestines, so CALL your vet!
Halloween
Secondly, we have Halloween coming up. Yes there are chocolates around and possibly grapes (eyeballs?) and other toxic treats around. Keep them out of pets reach!
BUT the other issue that isn't talked about as often is the scary costumes. Dogs in particular recognise people by a mix of sound, scent, location AND the outline of the person. When people 'change shape' this can be very scary. Things that change a persons shape can include hats, wearing long coats or cloaks, using a walking stick. These are every day changes which may explain why your dog reacts to the postman - hat, big bag, different person regularly - or those with a white stick or a walking cane.
Duplicate that with everyone you can see in some sort of costume that changes their outline and Halloween is scary! My top tips for the season include:
Keep pets away from any costume parties
If you are receiving trick or treaters then your pet doesn't need to be present
If people in costume do approach your pet then it is advisable to ask them to stand still and let the pet move towards them to sniff and check out who they are. Talking gently and maybe explaining who they are to the pet so they can hear their voice may also help
But in general, don'y expect your pet to act normally if we are all dressing up to fool the dead!
Fireworks
Finally. The dreaded and often discussed fireworks. Little did Guido Fawkes know about his impact on English culture that has spread almost world wide! Yes, fireworks are noisy and cause sooo much stress. I have added below a blog I wrote in 2024, but the words are still all relevant. Especially as the vet industry is being investigate about costs and value for money. The evidence below may of interest for those with a fiscal bent.
Cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, = approx 23 million not including wildlife/guinea pigs/tortoises
the firework industry is a "£180 million industry that provides employment to at least 250 people directly"
Veterinary care provides significant economic value to the UK, with the market worth approximately £6.73 billion in 2023
With some very rudimentary maths it could be said that the fireworks industry creates £7 of financial benefit for the UK per potential animal affected. I would really like the CMA and the veterinary industry to be able to respond to the data that has been presented in the parliamentary committee linked above. Where the costs to animals is largely negated in the report. To favour an industry that brings little financial and employment benefit but causes huge financial and emotional distress to animals and owners seems grossly unfair.
And so it begins
It’s a sunny Sunday in mid September 2025 as I type. Initially I thought my neighbour was creating some sort of musical out of putting her bins out as bin day is a Monday here. However I then realised that I was in fact ‘enjoying’ the first local fireworks display of the season. Whitstable is partying to the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival which is brought to a close with a beach fireworks display. Although I had seen this advertised, as I am currently a pet-less childless cat woman (work that one out Trump) it hadn’t ignited the usual high stress levels that come when you have to plan your life around the unwelcome noise nuisance of fireworks.
I know I’m preaching to the converted here about the stress on humans and animals with fireworks. However until being pet less in Trumps derided demographic then I hadn’t realised how easy it is to miss how many fireworks displays are advertised. In my local area we have had a shared post on local FB pages to advertise the numerous local events so pet owners can be alerted and prepare for the least amount of stress for their pets. Yet this is not enough to avoid stress for pets, owners and the veterinary profession. It’s here where I may propose some ways to improve the current situation for all.
As part of the current analysis (CMA) of the veterinary profession and costs to clients I feel there would be value in reporting the cost of fireworks/noise phobia in pets. In terms of the cost to pet owners there several ways they pay to protect their pets from fireworks.
Costs include and are not limited to:
- Vet consultation
- Prescription of medication
- Referral to behavioural therapy
- Costs of behavioural interventions
- Buying toys/treats for distraction purposes
- Purchases to create a safe den
These apply to both cats and dogs but cats also need considerations for:
- Stress related urinary issues
- Being kept indoors
- Temporary housing
- Litter trays
Not forgetting garden pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs who are in winter shelter by the traditional 5th November. However for those choosing to use the longer evenings for warm weather fireworks displays rabbits and guinea pigs are usually still in summer housing. For cats, rabbits and guinea pigs there needs to be a significant period of planning. This is to cover when they are allowed free range outside of the house and when they are in a safe space before, during and after firework displays.
Yes, I know some will say for schools and local organisations rely on the income produced but there are other ways to raise funds. There is also the option of silent fireworks and surely the positive publicity around being the start of the silent fireworks display trend is worth something?
Currently there is no legislation to allow for prior warning of any local/private displays. Ongoing petitions to regulate firework sales to the public appear not to be working then perhaps there is another way. Instead of regulating the purchase of fireworks regulating the use of fireworks puts the onus on the purchaser and not the seller. If you can purchase fireworks then you should be able to plan a display and advertise this. On the most basic level you can put an estate agents board to advertise your home for sale then surely you can put one to advertise an upcoming private events that involves fireworks. Some may say having pets is a privilege so you should be prepared for these events, but the nature of private fireworks is that you cant prepare.
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