Give your dog a safe place to rest this bonfire weekend

Bonfire Night may be a fun and sociable evening for many, yet it can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing event for lots of pets. Many dogs can interpret the loud noise of a firework as a threat which makes them restless and on edge all night.

Thankfully, Silentnight’s Calming Donut Pet Bed will help to create a calming, anti-anxiety environment for your dog which may prove particularly helpful on Bonfire Night and other upcoming seasonal occasions where fireworks may occur.

Donut beds help to calm a dog’s anxiety as the shape of the bed appeals to its nesting instinct. The ‘fur on fur’ contact is also key to soothing the dog whilst anxious, as it’s what a dog would receive from its mother when distressed.

The circular shape and raised rim help the dog to burrow and feel protected whilst they are snoozing and this in turn calms their overloaded sensory behaviours and supports the neck and spine during sleep time, helping to reduce muscle and joint pain that they may have from being stiff and anxious.

Other methods that may help an anxious dog on Bonfire Night include walking your dog earlier in the day so they are indoors when fireworks go off, masking the sound of the fireworks with your TV or radio and acting as normal and calm as possible – dogs will pick up on your stress and it may make them more unsettled!

Sally Bonser, Head of Marketing at Comfy Group, said: “Many dogs find fireworks and loud noises unsettling and so with Bonfire Night fast approaching, we’re encouraging pet owners to consider how they can help to ease stress levels on the night.

“A donut bed is a really simple, yet effective way to provide a comforting sanctuary for your dog and is actually also great for cats and other small pets such as rabbits, all of which can be prone to stress from loud noises. The cocooning nature of the bed makes the pet feel at ease, and the ‘furry’ texture of the fabric also soothes them. There’s lots of other tips and tricks out there for alleviating stress on Bonfire Night and so we’d certainly encourage pet parents to do a bit of research ahead of time”.

The Silentnight Calming Donut Pet Bed is available from Sleepy People in S/M and M/L sizes, with prices starting from £37.99. The donut bed is cosy yet durable and is covered in a super soft plush fabric which is fully machine washable to keep it smelling clean and fresh. The non-slip base also creates a safe and stable bed that doesn’t go walkies.