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Dog Owner Shares Free Hack To Help Calm Your Pets On Bonfire Night

Dog Owner Shares Free Hack To Help Calm Your Pets On Bonfire Night

All you need is a sock and a pair of scissors.

EMS 7

EMS 7

Bonfire Night is just around the corner, and while it can be a great evening for us humans, it's a whole other story for the majority of pets who are terrified of the loud sounds made by fireworks.

But thankfully, a dog owner has shared a useful hack to help soothe your furry friends when those colourful and loud displays start kicking off.

Deadline News

Now, some people might look into getting their pup a stress band or calming jacket, which have been shown to help ease anxiety in pets.

However, these can cost up to £40 ($52) each, a sizable chunk when everyone's trying to save up for Christmas.

Caitlin Miller from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, took to Facebook last year to reveal that you can simply make one of these at home using an old sock and a pair of scissors.

All you need to do is cut the end off each sock and place it around your dog's head and it'll comfort them, almost as if they're being cuddled.

Deadline News

Of course, make sure the sock is adult sized so it doesn't cause them any discomfort.

The student said the method is tried and tested, having instantly relaxed Jack Russell Cookie and Pomchi Ruby.

Caitlin posted pictures of the pair wearing the makeshift comforters on Facebook, writing: "For all those whose dogs are scared of fireworks.

"Instead of buying anti stress bands or anything else off of the internet, just cut the two ends off a sock and put it on their head ensuring it's not too tight, but comfortable.

"It gives them a sensation of being cuddled and relaxes them. We used them last year and as firework season is back we're using them again and thought I'd share with my friends."

Deadline News

Caitlin said she'd tried various other techniques in the past to help calm her pets, but none had worked.

"My older dog, Ruby, had been afraid of fireworks all of her life," she explained. "She began to rip out patches in her fur due to this anxiety, so last year we then took it further to the vet.

"They gave her anxiety pills and a cone. The anxiety pills didn't do anything and the cone only made her more uncomfortable than she already was."

Taking to Google in a bid to find anything that might help, she came across an 'anti-stress band'.

Unsplash/João Victor Xavier

Caitlin had a lightbulb moment after noticing the bands resembled everyday socks, and she decided she could create a cheaper DIY version herself.

She added: "I noticed that it looked a bit like a sock on the dog's head so I thought I would try it with a sock and cut off the two ends.

"I found one that wouldn't be too tight but not too loose either. After trying it I realised it was the only thing that kept her calm and happy."

Recent RSPCA research revealed that 62 percent of dog owners said their animals were visibly distressed when fireworks went off nearby.

They also said that since 2014, they received over 2,200 calls about firework related issues.

Featured Image Credit: Deadline News

Topics: Hack, Pets, Dogs