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Magazine
SPOTLIGHT
Keep them stress-free
RAO MAGANTI
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The animal kingdom is still reeling from the sounds of Deepavali just gone by.
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Photo: Rao Maganti
Soothing: Listening to music through headphones while crackers blaze outside.
During my childhood, I was very fond of parrots, golden sparrows and the other birds that sheltered in the backyard of our home in the village.
Whenever I climbed the guava or almond tree to filch a few fruits without the knowledge of my ever-vigilant grandmother, the birds would fly up in the branches in panic. In due course, they got used to my intrusions and allowed me into their territory without showing any sign of anxiety or fear.
As my memories rewind, I notice that I would miss the sight of the birds for a few days in November each year. The birds would return after a week or so and I never knew why they had vanished.
Years later, I realised that the birds had probably disappeared due to fire and deafening noise of the crackers I burst for Deepavali.
Similarly, stray animals like dogs and cats also leave their habitats temporarily and flee to unknown territories in despair due to the firecrackers burst on streets during the festival.
Fear and panic
Strangely Deepavali comes close on the heels of World Animal Day (October 4) but it inflicts misery on hundreds of animals, which have converted the lanes and streets of our neighbourhood into their domicile. While they never violate the boundaries of these ‘kingdoms’ in general, firecrackers often force them cross the danger line in fear and panic.
Once they stray into another ‘kingdom,’ they lose their sources of food and shelter and are also chased and attacked by animals of the other ‘kingdom’.
Injured and depressed, many lose track of their earlier domicile and meet with a sad end in an alien and hostile territory.
Often, pets from homes also try to escape the noises of the festival and eventually end up in animal adoption centres at best or, at worst, join a group of street dogs and wander off. What else could be more devastating for a pet owner?
Having a home will not ensure an animal the protection that it needs during this time. Apartments, independent houses or bungalows are not completely soundproof.
Our pet Lhasa Apso Lipi, distressed by the thundering bursts of fireworks, frantically searches for cover. Shivering, it runs from person to person and room to room until it finds a place to hide.
This could be the story of every other pet in Chennai or elsewhere. Pet owners can draw a two-pronged strategy to help their pets tackle the stress and trauma during the noisy festive season.
Long term techniques
As a long-range initiative, behaviour modification techniques may be used to reduce fears and phobias in pets. If implemented gradually under expert supervision, these ‘counter conditioning’ and ‘desensitisation’ techniques help pets respond in non-fearful way to loud noises.
The pet will be made to listen to a tape with firecracker noises on it in different volume/intensity levels over a period of few months. The professional trainers usually play the tape while the pet is at dinner or playing her preferred game. But do not try to force the pets to directly witness or be close to the real firecracker displays. This will only make them more fearful and aggressive.
Another technique is distraction or diversion. Persuade it into some activity that diverts it from behaving fearfully.
Playing fetch in an escape-proof area is a good example. As the noise develops, its attention may wander but this delays the onset of the fearful behaviour for longer periods each time we do it.
The loudest fireworks create noise in the range of 115 to 125 decibels while thunderstorms generate noise levels of about 160 decibels.
This indicates that animals have no choice but to survive these two extremes all through their lives — the first being a man-made misery while the other is a natural one.
Short-term initiatives
On an interim basis, make some arrangements to protect pets. This includes modification of your own behaviour.
Do not shout at the pets or exhibit signs of frustration and displeasure while they are frightened and running for safety. They will be more stressed in such situations.
Do not pick them up or comfort them too much if they seem anxious. Over-cuddling of a distressed pet can add to the stress, as it might think that the owners are also terrorised by the noise.
The best thing is to let it settle in its preferred hideout and remain as normal as possible.
Do not leave the pet all alone in the room. Create a safe place or a ‘hidey-hole’ with proper ventilation. Fill this place with old clothes that the pet can burrow into to feel safe.
Bring them inside the house long before fireworks begin. Keep cotton wool carefully in the outer ears as insulation against loud noises.
Switch on the radio or TV as it might help distract the pets from loud noises. Some pets accept headphones to listen to music while crackers blaze outside.
Close all windows when the display is at its peak outside. Fill the gaps with thermocol to temporarily insulate the room.
The vet can also suggest medication to reduce the pet’s anxiety levels. Never give over-the-counter medicines without consulting the vet.
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