How to keep exotic pets calm around fireworks

Plan

Planning is key! New Year’s Eve and Bonfire night fall on the same day every year, so speak to your neighbours to see if they are planning any displays, or anything extra in the year. This allows you to plan and protect your exotic pet before the event happens.

Parrots

• Keep your parrot/s indoors with the windows and doors closed.
• Closing curtains will also help with not only the flashing lights but help reduce the noise.
• Talking to your bird will help reassure them and keeping yourself calm will also help with the (quite scary) situation, parrots are very good at picking up on your anxiety.
• If your parrot has a favourite TV programme/film/radio station, put this on to also help drown out the noise and keep them distracted
• If your parrot is known to getting very distressed in similar/the same situation, consult your avian vet for any extra advice and help
• Birds that are in aviary’s, try to encourage them to move into the housing part of the aviary. Also make sure that no rockets land on it, so keep an eye out! Covering half the aviary with a thick blanket or duvet will help muffle the sounds, but make sure there is enough ventilation

Tortoises

• If you’re planning on having a bonfire, make sure your tortoise (or any other animal!) isn’t hiding in it first.
• If you’re planning on having a firework display, make sure your tortoise is safe and sound

Small mammals

• Any outdoor hutches or cages must be brought in or taken into a garage or shed.
• If this isn’t possible, turn the enclosure around so that it faces a wall or fence and cover some of it with a thick blanket or duvet. Like the birds, this will help muffle the sounds, and make sure there is enough ventilation.
• Provide extra bedding so they can burrow and feel safer