PET owners are being given a piece of unusual advice in the lead-up to Bonfire Night in Hampshire – ignore your pet.

Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night are traditionally difficult times for pets and their owners, with the flashes and bangs of fireworks causing distress to animals everywhere.

Concerned residents often try to take extra care of their animals, particularly dogs, hoping that this will lower their level of distress.

But Sarah Mills, manager of All Animal Rescue in Southampton, explained that this is not the best way to calm them down.

She said: “One of the main things is to act normally. My dog used to be petrified of the sounds and I used to cuddle him to see if he was OK.

“Then I got a new vet and he said ‘just ignore him’ – I said ‘you’re joking’. But then I totally ignored him and he was absolutely fine.

“I was encouraging him to be nervous by saying there was something to be scared of.”

An increasing number of dogs come from war-torn countries, she said, increasing the level of anxiety they experience during fireworks.

Other advice for pet owners includes drowning out explosions and noises from outside with the radio or television, and feeding pets earlier so that they can go to the toilet outside before bonfires start.

And anyone living in residential areas and wanting to have fireworks or bonfires can lower the risk of a dispute with neighbours by warning them in advance when the noises will start.

Megan Baverstock, at Blue Cross Southampton rehoming centre, said: “The noise of fireworks can be really frightening for lots of pets, so do try to make sure they’re indoors before the bangs and flashes start with a nice safe place to hide.

“It’s also really important to make sure your pet is microchipped with all your details up to date. That way, if they do run away after being startled by fireworks, it will be easier for anyone who finds them to get in touch and get them safely back to you.”