New Year's Eve can be a scary time for pets and pet owners as people let off fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

Vets for Pets Alsager  has shared their top tips for keeping your furry friends happy and stress-free tomorrow night (31 January).

Fireworks can be frightening for pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits and all other small pets can be affected. 

Here are our veterinary partners, Vets for Pets Alsager's top tips: 

November 5 falls on a Wednesday this year, with many displays taking place the following weekend (Credit: Nub News)

Vets for Pets Alsager's vet Becky Tracey, put together these tips for Bonfire Night which also apply to New Year's Eve.

Vets for Pets' Becky Tracey. (Photo: Nub News)

"Signs to look out for are the animal pacing back and forth and unable to settle, heavy panting even when not exercising and trembling or shaking," she said.

"Other signs could be refusing food they would normally eat, accidents in the house, despite being toilet-trained, barking, meowing, or making noises out of character."

1. Exercise Early

"Walk your dog during the day before the fireworks begin," said Tracey. "Thi avoids the stress of sudden loud bangs.

3. Create Distractions

"Create a distraction," says Becky. "Toys, chews and puzzle feeders are a good idea to take their attention from the noise outside."

4. Create a safe indoor space

"Close your curtains or blinds to block out flashes and create a cosy indoor environment for your pet," says Becky. "You can also play calming music or white noise to help mask the sounds outside, or even tune in to a special pet-friendly playlist."

5. Stay Calm Yourself

"Most importantly it's important to stay calm yourself," says Becky. "You should speak gently, act normally, and only comfort them if they come to you.

"Pets can sense your nerves, which may make them more anxious, so it's best to remain as calm as possible.

6. Keep Their ID Up to Date

Another top tip says Becky is to check that your pet's microchip details are current and that they're wearing a collar with your contact information. "This is vitally important," she said. 

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Follow Cheshire Pet Sandbach's advice and keep your furry friends safe this firework seeason (Credit: Nub News)

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