RNZ Concert’s soothing pet sounds for Guy Fawkes
Pets and their owners can tune in and chill out to RNZ's annual Concert for Animals tonight.
There are more than four million pets in Aotearoa, many of whom are spooked by the loud bangs and flashes of fireworks.
Scientific research suggests music, especially classical, can be soothing for cats and dogs in veterinary hospitals or animal shelters. And we know that the best way to help a stressed companion animal is for them to have their human, feeling calm, nearby.
So with that in mind, RNZ Concert presents its annual Guy Fawkes night radio show of music chosen to calm pets and people alike.
Sophie miaowssively appreciated RNZ's Guy Fawkes sonic sanctuary of calm last year.
RNZ Concert listeners
The show will include music written for animals such as 'Mina' by Edward Elgar for his beloved Cairns terrier. 'The Swan' from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns and 'Scene by the Brook' from Beethoven's Pastoral. We haven’t forgotten farm animals either, with 'Sheep May Safely Graze', by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Tune in from 6pm Wednesday night and let RNZ Concert calm the farm on a night that can be stressful for animals.
We'd love to see pictures or video of your pets enjoying the Concert for Animals - share them with us at iwitness@rnz.co.nz
Napoleon Bunaparte and Sophie doe Bundorset, both partial to a bit of Chopin.
RNZ Concert listeners
To listen to RNZ Concert tune in on the radio, or stream from rnz.co.nz, the RNZ App, SKY TV channel 422, or Freeview Channel 51. You can text us on 8824, texts cost 20 cents.
Rangi and Toto enjoying Concert for Animals last year.
RNZ Concert listeners
May Quinn found Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major the perfect antidote to last years' dog unfriendly human behaviour.
An RNZ Concert listener
The SPCA’s top tips for pet care on Guy Fawkes night
- Both cats and dogs should be microchipped with up-to-date contact details and have a collar and identification tag with your contact details on it.
- Exercise your dog early in the day to avoid being out during dusk when fireworks could be set off.
- If your cat has outside access, make sure they are safe in your home before dusk.
- Have small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens tucked away safely or even inside for the night.
- Stay home with your pet – they will be less stressed with someone they trust close by.
- Keep them indoors – they won’t see the flashes and the bangs will be muffled. Close doors and windows and draw the curtains. Listen to RNZ Concert.
- Make sure that your cat or dog has somewhere comforting to hide such as an igloo bed or covered, crate or make a bed wherever they feel safe to retreat to.
- Try a compression wrap for dogs. Animals feel secure with gentle pressure on them (like you would swaddle a baby)
- If your pet seeks you out, comfort them. If they prefer to retreat and be left alone, let them.
How to care for farm animals on Guy Fawkes night
- To minimise stress, keep horses and farm animals in their familiar paddocks and with their usual companions unless a firework display is planned close by.
- Make sure all fences are secure and check paddocks and stables thoroughly for anything that could cause injury, such as protruding nails.
- If you need to stable or move animals, do this in advance so that the animals have a chance to get used to their new surroundings.
