San Juan It is a famous holiday in many parts of the world, including Spain and Mexico. It is especially popular for bonfires in coastal areas. and for firecrackers and fireworks. This is certainly a beautiful sight, especially when it comes to colored rockets. However firecracker noise It poses a great danger to pets, such as cats and dogsfor livestock and wild animals.

Every year as the date of this tradition approaches, veterinarians and other animal behaviorists warn of the danger of rockets. This has led to the fact that in some places, for example in Italian municipality of Collecchioselect quiet fireworks. But these are just a few exceptions. In most places, they don’t want to do without the festive noise of firecrackers and rockets, no matter how much pet owners ask for it.

And the thing is, it’s not just a little panic. Numerous cases of death of animals from the noise of firecrackers are known. From heart attacks to accidents caused by fearThere are many ways that can lead to this terrible outcome. For this reason, in addition to raising awareness to find other ways to celebrate, it’s important to know what we can do to try and make it hard for our furry friends, in the best possible way.

Why are they so afraid of the noise of firecrackers and rockets?

If we focus on dogs, which are among the animals that suffer the most from the noise of firecrackers, then, undoubtedly, the sharpness of their feelings plays a cruel joke on them. They have excellent hearing, they are able to hear sounds that we do not perceive at all. In fact, its frequency range is huge. While humans can only detect sounds localized 64 to 23,000 Hz, they can hear from 6 to 45,000 Hz. On the other hand, it’s not just the noise of firecrackers. Their excellent sense of smell allows them to perceive the smell of gunpowder with much greater intensity.

We are also annoyed, although we do not hear much. In fact, it is believed that the sounds from 85 decibels they can be harmful to the human ear if maintained for a long time. In addition, those of 120 decibels they do not need to be maintained in such a continuous manner. And the problem is that there are fireworks in which the noise can reach 180 decibels. If it’s terrible for us, it’s a nightmare for them.

Besides, your only problem is not you. acuteness of hearing and smell. It is also inconvenient for them that they do not know where the noise comes from. We know that we are at parties and that there will be fireworks. We have the buzz of fireworks from people celebrating San Juan, New Year’s or any city fair. However, for them it’s something unexpected and not knowing where the noise of firecrackers comes from creates even more anxiety. In fact, it has been observed that dogs suffer the most, the oldest ones, who have deteriorated in their ability to hear the highest frequencies, precisely those that help them perceive the origin of sound. Therefore, they not only did not expect, but also do not know where it comes from.

The smell of gunpowder also repels pets and wild animals.

What can happen to our pets?

Fear can speed up the heart rate and cause adrenaline levels so high that, if sustained, it can lead to heart attacks in dogs, cats, and other pets. For example, in 2018, a Seville woman launched a campaign to change.org ask that steps be taken to prevent deaths like his dog bitchwho died of a heart attack caused by the noise of firecrackers and fireworks in his city.

The animal began to show anxiety, with tremors and sighs. In addition, he did not sleep or eat, and after several days in a row, with the same nervousness, his heart failed.

Other pets do not die of heart attacks, but do die from accidents such as jumping out of a window while trying to escape. Such situations were horseswho flee in terror, crossing wooden fences and receiving fractures that could force them to sacrifice themselves.

It’s not just about dogs, cats and horses.

Livestock are also heavily affected by the noise of firecrackers. Its effects were especially noticeable in cowsthat may stop producing milk. Sometimes they even abort their calves.

Referring to wild nature, risk-taking behavior has been observed in birds and mammals such as squirrels. The former run away when they hear the noise of firecrackers, being able to hit buildings. Sometimes they fly so high that they don’t have the strength to return. In addition, it has been observed in some birds, as well as in squirrels, that fear can make them escape from nests and holesget lost and leave their young to starve.

Finally, the smell of gunpowder This also plays an important role here, as many wild animals can sense that there is a fire nearby and run away in terror. So in this San Juan, we have to think about more than pets like dogs. Also in the wild areas where fireworks are launched.

horses
Horses also suffer from the noise of firecrackers.

Why do some dogs suffer more than others from the noise of firecrackers?

It is true that most pets suffer from the noise of firecrackers and rockets. However, there are those who don’t seem to care. They are few, but they exist. This has been studied, especially in dogs, and several conclusions have been drawn.

On the one hand, it suffices to recall the well-known Pavlov’s experiment Be aware that dogs are highly dependent on conditioning. For this reason, especially when they are puppies, they may learn to fear or tolerate noise.

Good example Daniel MillsProfessor of Veterinary Behavioral Medicine at Lincoln University, England. Smithsonian magazine. We can leave a puppy alone every day while his human friends go to work. If, during the time they spend outside, a neighbor is doing work in his house, and many knocking and loud noises, the animal will associate these sounds with abandonment. Thus, when he gets older, the noise of rockets or the sound of hammers will be much more disturbing.

Conversely, if the animal grows up listening to such sounds, but at the same time feels comfortable at home, it can tolerate them and become one of the few dogs that they are not afraid of the noise of firecrackers. It should be noted that dogs begin to develop a fear reaction to 12 weeks. This is when they are most sensitive. If there they are frightened by the noise of firecrackers, then they will be afraid for life. On the other hand, if they were previously conditioned and associated it with positive connotations, they may not suffer from anxiety in adulthood.

On the other side, pregnancy key moment. If a pregnant dog is startled by the noise of firecrackers, her levels of cortisol, a hormone that increases with stress, will increase. They can be passed on to the puppy developing in her womb, so he will be able to respond to these situations more easily when he is born.

What can we do in this San Juan to take care of our pets?

Ideally, you won’t have to deal with rocket noise. But, if there is no other choice, there are several options. According to a 2020 study, the best strategy is what is known as counterconditioning. This consists in imposing positive connotations on the sound of fireworks. For this, when they start to ring, we can play with our dogs and give them sweets. Above all, it is important that they do not see that we, too, are afraid of what might happen to them.

Thus, some dogs and cats may stop being afraid of the noise of firecrackers. But it doesn’t always work. In this case, it is better to ask the veterinarian. I might have to prescribe some anxiolytic for festivals like San Juan where fireworks seem to be inevitable.

It’s not inevitable, of course, but it’s sometimes hard for us humans to give up our traditions. Even when it comes to taking care of the health of those who are considered our best friends.

Source: Hiper Textual

Previous article10 tech news to start your day (23/06)
Next articleTinkoff Capital will form the first investment fund in Russia for replacement bonds

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here