Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Calm Pet Vet, Oak Park, Victoria, 3046, Australia.
Aust Vet J. 2024 Oct;102(10):491-502. doi: 10.1111/avj.13357. Epub 2024 Jul 16.
To investigate the prevalence of firework-associated fear in dogs in Sydney, owner perception of their dog's response to fireworks, perceived efficacy of interventions to manage fearful behaviours and the frequency of dog owners seeking professional advice for these behaviours.
Dog owners in the Greater Sydney area were invited to complete an anonymous online survey.
From 387 valid responses, 44.4% (171 of 385) reported their dogs were fearful of fireworks. The most common fear-related behaviour was seeking an owner or caretaker (120 of 161, 74.5%). Most owners responded by bringing their dog inside or trying to comfort or reassure their dog. Only 22.5% of owners sought professional advice for their dog's fear of fireworks, but of these, 65.5% considered that advice to be effective. Source and breed group were significantly associated with fear of fireworks (P = 0.011, P = 0.036 respectively). Fear of fireworks was also significantly associated with fear of thunder (P < 0.0001), gunshots (P < 0.0001) and vehicles (P = 0.0009).
Fear of fireworks and other loud noises negatively impacts canine welfare, yet only a small percentage of owners sought professional advice. There is scope for veterinarians to educate owners and raise awareness about the identification and management of noise-associated fear and reduce the risk of escalation of fearful behaviours.
调查悉尼地区犬类烟花恐惧的流行情况、主人对其犬类对烟花反应的看法、管理恐惧行为干预措施的效果以及犬主因这些行为寻求专业建议的频率。
邀请大悉尼地区的犬主填写匿名在线调查。
从 387 份有效回复中，44.4%（171/385）报告其犬类对烟花感到恐惧。最常见的与恐惧相关的行为是寻求主人或照顾者（120/161，74.5%）。大多数主人会将其犬类带入室内，或试图安慰或安抚其犬类。只有 22.5%的犬主因犬类对烟花的恐惧而寻求专业建议，但其中 65.5%认为该建议有效。来源和品种组与对烟花的恐惧显著相关（P=0.011，P=0.036）。对烟花的恐惧也与对雷声（P<0.0001）、枪声（P<0.0001）和车辆（P=0.0009）的恐惧显著相关。
对烟花和其他巨响的恐惧会对犬类福利产生负面影响，但只有一小部分主人寻求专业建议。兽医有机会教育主人，提高他们对与噪音相关的恐惧的识别和管理意识，并降低恐惧行为升级的风险。
