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Firework season is upon us and it can be a frightening time for pets. In 2018, a report published by the PDSA found that around 40% of cat and dog owners reported that their animals find fireworks scary. Fireworks season starts generally towards the end of October ahead of seasonal celebrations like Diwali and Bonfire Night, and can continue throughout the rest of the year up until New Year’s Eve.

Sudden loud noises and bright flashes can cause anxiety in many pets and therefore cause dogs and cats to feel stressed. If you have a pet that is already anxious and struggles with new situations, don’t hesitate to consult an animal behaviourist or speak to your vet for advice and guidance. 

How to prepare your pet for bonfire night

When it comes to pets and fireworks safety, it’s best to plan ahead and start preparing in the months and weeks leading up to the night. There are many ways pet owners can help prepare pets before fireworks start: 

Encourage your pet to get used to loud noises

By playing noises that resemble fireworks inside your home, you can help your pet to become more accustomed to the different sounds. There are many options available online such as CDs and downloads.

Build your pet a Den

Help your dog or cat feel safe and guarded against fireworks by creating a safe place in a quiet room that only they can access. Set up a den in the weeks prior to bonfire night and encourage your pet to use it so they feel familiar with the environment. Having hiding places and safe dens can help small animals feel protected.

Create a calming environment

Calming home diffusers for cats and dogs are widely available. Pet owners can use these soothing plug-ins to help keep pets who have anxiety calm. The plug-in works by releasing a synthetic pheromone, similar to the substances cats and dogs release to recreate a ‘happy’ scent. The scent helps cats and dogs to adapt to new surroundings and experiences, and can help calm the stress of firework noises for some pets. Adaptil and Feliway information and products are available in all Animal Trust surgeries.

Act normal and stay calm

Dogs and cats are aware of the energy given off by their owners and if you seem stressed or anxious, they will feed on your emotions. Leading up to firework season, keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible and try to be with them to provide reassurance.

Check your pet’s microchip details

During stressful times and new situations, pets can become distressed and may try to flee and leave the house if they are able to escape – for example, if someone opens the front or back door. It’s also a good idea to close the cat flap and keep your cat indoors if possible during fireworks displays.

Firework season is a good time to check that your pet is wearing a collar with an up-to-date ID tag and that all of their microchip details are fully up-to-date.

Signs your pet is scared of fireworks

Along with following the above steps to prepare your cat or dog for fireworks night, be aware of the signs of your pet’s stress so you can adapt your environment and keep pets safe and calm on the night.

Signs of fireworks season stress in dogs

  • Unusual behaviour i.e. barking excessively or chewing the furniture

  • Panting, pacing and yawning excessively

  • Tensing their body/face or shaking 

  • Urinating indoors as they are too scared to go outside

Signs of fireworks season stress in cats

  • Losing their appetite

  • Unusual behaviour i.e. no longer using their litter tray

  • Grooming themselves excessively

  • Avoiding direct contact with people

How to keep your pet calm during fireworks

When Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and fireworks season arrive, it’s best to be as prepared as possible. Spend some time researching when local firework displays are taking place and chat with your neighbours to check if they will be holding their own so you know exactly what to expect. 

Once the fireworks have begun there are a range of things you can do to help keep your pets calm and stress levels as low as possible. Here are our top tips:

Keep your pet indoors

Dogs can easily become scared of fireworks so making sure they’re walked earlier during daylight hours when fireworks are less likely to be set off will help to ease your pet’s anxiety. If your cat generally likes to be outdoors, create a safe space inside the home to help reassure them.

Comfort your pet

Avoid leaving your pet alone during fireworks – you should stay at home to comfort and reassure them as much as possible. It’s OK to stroke or cuddle them if they seem calm enough, but still, allow them to go where they would like. i.e. sometimes dogs cope best inside their den or behind a sofa, while cats generally feel safer when high up, on top of a cupboard for example.

Prepare your home

As well as keeping pets indoors, making that space as firework noise-proof as possible will help your pet cope. So, make sure to close windows and where possible cover them – with curtains, blinds or even thick blankets to block out flashes and some of the loud bangs.

Feed them earlier

If your pet usually eats early in the evening, think about feeding them slightly earlier before fireworks begin. If they do seem distressed, they may lose their appetite. Anxious dogs also pant more so it’s just as important to keep their water bowl full so they can stay hydrated.

Play background noise

Having the television or radio on inside your home will help to drown out any loud bangs or noises. Keeping all the windows, doors and curtains closed will also help to drown out the noise.

Provide rewards

When your pet is acting calm, reward them with praise, playing or a tasty treat. If they do bark, meow or whine more than usual, they may be distressed. In this instance, don’t punish them for this behaviour by raising your voice or shouting, which will make things worse. Remain calm, and provide them with comfort – for example by playing with their favourite toys.

Be aware of changes in your pet's behaviour

Any significant changes in your pet’s behaviour can be a signal of concern. If they begin to shake uncontrollably, bite or cause unusual distribution, seek advice from an emergency vet who may be able to suggest treatment or prescribe medication to help in certain instances.

cat indoors
Animal Trust

If you are considering giving your pet calming medications, seek advice from a qualified animal behaviourist and/or your local Animal Trust vet first.

 

At any time if you notice that your pet seems scared or stressed, their fear of fireworks is getting worse, or they are showing signs of unusual behaviour; contact your local Animal Trust surgery for a consultation and more advice, free of charge.

For more information on how to care for your pets during fireworks, an expert member of the Animal Trust team is more than happy to help

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