Dreaded Fireworks

Sian25 · Dec 31, 2015

On bonfire night the fireworks weren't too loud in our area but I put some nice music on very quietly for the pigs (stuck a bit of adele on) to attempt to drown out the noise of fireworks a bit as I didn't want my boys scared. However, I ended up turning the music off because one of my boys seemed to be more scared of the music than the fireworks - they have their own bedroom so although I'm always in and out of their room speaking to them, they aren't used to the sound of music.

Anyway, I heard my next door neighbour is having a firework display tonight so I'm guessing it's going to be very loud for my poor boys and I don't know what to do for the best. Any ideas?

piggieminder · Dec 31, 2015

I'd normally suggest music but as they don't like it that's no good. If you are home you could try staying with them and talking to them. The only other thing I can think of is to cover the cage with a blanket and see if that helps them feel safer. My guineas were terrified when the fireworks started here in September, by bonfire night they were used to them and were less stressed than I was! Quite a few have gone off here tonight and so far they are completely ignoring them.

Mother Hubbard · Dec 31, 2015

Sorry I can't help to be honest, perhaps just keeping a cover over their housing area making them feel safe. Little can be done regarding the noise.

ghostbusterbunny · Dec 31, 2015

I find that for my lot it's never the sound that upsets them - they deal with the noise perfectly well, actually! It's the lights. So we cover all the shed windows and the fronts of hutches and pile up the hay for them to snuggle into.

I'm just waiting for them to start around here. It's the rabbits I worry about so the little rabbits are being shut in their shed (again they deal with fireworks quite well) but the giant rabbits are coming in because they do get frightened, bless them.

Chief Guinea Pig · Dec 31, 2015

I can't offer much advice either unfortunately :/

I'm waiting in anticipation for the fireworks round here, the pigs aren't usually too bothered by the fireworks, hopefully that is the case this time!

Merrypigs Sanctuary · Dec 31, 2015

Could you try an Adaptil plug in? Mind you, its probably too late for one of those to be effective now

If it were me id perhaps cover their cage up with a blanket and provide loads of hay to keep them busy :hug:

Sian25 · Dec 31, 2015

Thanks everyone! I'm hoping it's not going to go on very long and I will be home to keep reassuring them. They have blacked out curtains in their room so the flashes won't be a problem, I'll try covering them up if I can find a blanket big enough. Our dog goes crazy at fireworks too so I've got 3 little boys to snuggle tonight. Happy new year to you all.

Sian25 · Jan 1, 2016

Well I resorted in putting music on after all as my more timid piggy was really frightened with the fireworks being so close and I was a bit panicky and thought maybe the music would be less scary after all. The fireworks have died down now but he's still hiding in his tunnel and constantly biting the cage bars. I feel like crying, upsets me a lot to see him scared. I've turned the music off now but still can't get him to come round. He did eat some spring greens but I'm worried he will be like this over night and not come out to eat or drink? On the other hand my other pig was munching on his hay the whole time and didn't even flinch