Experts warn pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this New Years Eve

Pet owners are being advised to make the festive season as safe and stress-free as possible for their furry companions.

The Irish Blue Cross is warning fireworks can scare dogs and cats and take them a long time to recover from distress.

It’s encouraging people to walk their dogs before dark and make sure their pets’ microchip is up to date.

Corina Fitzsimons from the Irish Blue Cross, has this advice for ways to distract pets from the loud noises: “There’s lots of things you can do, like you can freeze, treat dispensers, you can put like paste and food and wet food in dispensers and freeze it and give it to your dog to lick as this can sometimes help keep them occupied and make them a little bit less nervous.”