NEW films specially designed for cats and dogs could keep nervous pets calm through fireworks night.

Woofering Heights and Peer Window, developed by More Than Pet Insurance and featuring the voice of actor David Tenant, have been designed to reduce the stress experienced by some of our four-legged friends on bonfire night.

Although to humans the short films may appear abstract and surreal, they are said to be highly compelling viewing for their intended audience of cats and dogs.

More Than worked with animal behaviourist Karen Wild and vet Robert White-Adams throughout the making of both films.

Ms Wild said: “Noise phobia in cats and dogs can lead to distress, injury and long-term behavioural problems, so it’s important for pet owners that they do as much as they can to help calm and relax their animals.

“These films may seem strange to humans, but it’s important to realise that cats and dogs do not perceive the world in the same way we do and will respond to completely different audio and visual stimuli.

“Hopefully these films, in conjunction with other veterinary-approved measures, can have a positive effect on cats and dogs that suffer from noise phobia.”

Peer Window is set entirely within a window frame to reflect a cat’s habitual behaviour of staring out of windows for approximately five hours a day.

Woofering Heights, the film for dogs, employs key scientific prompts by incorporating slowly moving pastoral scenery, a cast of sedentary dogs and the relaxing lilt of David Tennant delivering an Emily Bronte-inspired narration full of words and cadences that can calm canines.

The film was shot entirely in a dog’s colour spectrum of blues and yellows – heightening the viewing experience for them.

The films are designed to be played to cats and dogs a number of times in the days leading up to the fifth of November, allowing them to become familiar with the content and learn by association. Both of the short films replay after the credits roll to reinforce the feelings of calm and relaxation.

To view Woofering Heights click here. For Peer Window click here. 

Mr White-Adams offered some other tips for keeping pets calm on November 5:

  • Take your dog outside during the day and exercise them so they are tired. As with humans, physical exercise induces endorphin release, which amongst other things has a potent anti-anxiety effect.
  • About an hour before expected fireworks give your dog/cat a medium sized normal meal. The feeling of satiety carries a potent natural anti-anxiety effect.
  • Move your pet to the area of the house in which you believe they feel most at home.
  • Cover the windows and doors, and turn on lights – you are aiming to reduce the impact and awareness of light flashes outside.
  • Put on some background music at a moderate volume – preferably music with a constant and distracting bass or beat. You are aiming to reduce the startling impact of crashes, bangs and whistles from outside.
  • If your pet is awake and active, try and distract them with gentle, calm play.