By Serena Lombardi
With New Year’s Eve now behind us, it’s time to reflect on how New Year’s Eve has affected our four-legged friends. The massive use of fireworks and barrels is a tradition that, unfortunately, continues to represent an unparalleled source of stress for pets and beyond. Professionals in the sector have emphasized, once again, the importance of raising awareness in the community on a problem that is not limited to a single night, but that often lasts all year round for phonophobic animals, i.e. those who are particularly sensitive to loud noises.
Despite many appeals, Dr. Maruska tells us, many people only turn to veterinarians the day before the holidays, looking for last-minute solutions to calm their pets. However, there are no magic or immediate solutions to deal with the fear of bangs. Phonophobia is a condition that requires a gradual and planned approach over time, with desensitization paths and, if necessary, adequate pharmacological support. Unfortunately, relying on last-minute remedies is often not enough to ensure the emotional well-being of animals.
For those who have taken precautions in time, some strategies have proven effective: insulating animals from noise by keeping them indoors, perhaps with well-sealed windows, to muffle the roar of fires. Create a reassuring environment, letting cats hide where they prefer and offering dogs the opportunity to stay close to their owners if they wish. Masking noises by turning on music at moderate volume can help cover up sudden sounds. Finally, spending New Year’s Eve in areas far from built-up areas, for those who live in particularly noisy areas, can make a difference.
While pets can count on the attention of their owners, the situation is quite different for animals in kennels and wildlife. In shelters, protective measures are often insufficient, and many animals experience fireworks as a real trauma. Even the fauna of our forests and parks is a silent victim of these noisy habits, with sometimes lethal consequences.
The holiday season isn’t just a noise risk. Christmas decorations can turn into dangerous traps for animals: dogs ingesting them, cats climbing Christmas trees risking serious injury, or animals fleeing from windows left open. This year, there have been cases of animals being injured in an attempt to escape from sudden noises, some of which have ended up on the street, causing accidents.
The balance of this New Year’s Eve reminds us of the importance of addressing the issue more seriously. It is not only about safeguarding the well-being of our pets, but also about respecting the fauna around us. Silence is a precious, even salvific, element for many animals.
The hope is that, with a greater commitment to raising awareness, the next New Year’s Eve can be lived in a more respectful and serene way for all the inhabitants, human and otherwise, of our territory.
Info: Clinica Veterinaria Dr. Maruska Fossi, Piazza della Stazione 3, Bibbiena Stazione (Ar) / Tel. +39 349 5052678 / maruska.fossi@alice.it
