Do Pets Celebrate New Year: Ethology and Physiology of Holiday Stress There is no direct conscious celebration, similar to humans, in domestic animals. However, their behavior and physiology change significantly during the New Year's holidays. From a scientific perspective, this is not a "holiday," but a complex reaction to a powerful stress factor, sometimes with elements of positive reinforcement. Analyzing this state requires an interdisciplinary approach, including ethology, veterinary physiology, and psychology. Neurophysiology and Stress: Fireworks as a Super-Stimulus The key negative factor is fireworks and firecrackers. For an animal, this is not just a loud sound, but a complex extreme irritant. Auditory sensitivity. The hearing of dogs and cats is much more acute than that of humans. They perceive a wider range of frequencies (up to 60-65 kHz in dogs compared to 20 kHz in humans) and quieter sounds. A firecracker explosion for them is not just a "bang," but a painful sound shock that damages the sensitive structures of the inner ear. The reaction of rodents and birds (parrots, canaries) can be even more severe, leading to a fatal outcome from heart rupture (tachycardia caused by fear). Activation of the "hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal glands" (HPA-axis). A sudden sharp sound triggers a cascade of hormonal reactions. Cortisol (a stress hormone) and catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline) are released. This leads to: Increased heart rate and breathing. Increased blood pressure. Muscle tremors. Pupil dilation. Uncontrollable urination and defecation. Behavioral manifestations of fear. The animal demonstrates classic reactions: Escape/avoidance: attempts to hide in the most secluded place (under the bathtub, in a cabinet), often ignoring the owner's calls. Freezing: immobility. Compulsive behavior: aimless walking in circles, excessive licking oneself to the point of forming sores (acral dermatitis). Destructive behavior: attempts to bite the door, break t ... Read more