How to Help Dogs and Cats Cope with Fireworks: Our Practical Guide
By Nikki Roberts Registered Veterinary Nurse
As the evenings draw in, fireworks season isn’t far behind.
For some of us, fireworks are an enjoyable part of autumn celebrations. For many of our pets, though, those sudden bangs, whistles, vibrations and flashes can be frightening and confusing. They don’t understand where the noise is coming from, why it is happening or when the next bang might arrive.
You may have a dog who starts pacing as soon as the first firework goes off, a cat who disappears behind the wardrobe, or perhaps a rabbit who suddenly becomes very still and hides. Other pets seem completely unconcerned.
Every animal is different.
The good news is that there are lots of things we can do to help, and we don’t need to wait until Bonfire Night to start. In fact, preparing early is one of the most useful things we can do.
Following on from last week’s blog about keeping pets safe as the darker nights creep in, this week we’re looking specifically at fireworks, with plenty of practical hints and tips to help make those noisy autumn evenings safer and less stressful for our pets.
Contents
Why Are Fireworks So Frightening for Some Pets?
Imagine relaxing at home when, completely without warning, there is an enormous explosion outside.
You don’t know what caused it, where it came from or whether another one is about to happen.
That gives us some idea of why fireworks can be so difficult for our pets.
Fireworks are unpredictable. They combine sudden loud noises with whistles, flashes of light, vibrations and unfamiliar smells. A pet has no way of understanding that it’s a celebration or knowing when the noise will stop.
Signs of fear can include:
Trembling or shaking
Panting
Pacing and being unable to settle
Hiding
Drooling
Barking or whining
Refusing food
Becoming unusually clingy
Trying to escape
Toileting indoors
Becoming unusually quiet or withdrawn
Some signs are much more subtle.
A cat who disappears upstairs for the entire evening, for example, may be telling us just as clearly that they are frightened.
Preparing Your Pet Before Fireworks Begin
One of the most helpful things you can do for a pet who struggles with fireworks is start preparing before the fireworks begin.
If you know there are organised displays near your home, make a note of the dates and approximate times. Local community information can sometimes be useful for finding out about nearby events too, although unfortunately we can never predict every private firework.
Then start thinking about your pet’s normal evening routine.
If your dog is usually walked after dark, gradually bring their main walk forward so they become accustomed to being exercised and toileted earlier.
On days when fireworks are expected, make the most of the daylight hours. Give your dog their normal exercise, plenty of opportunities to sniff and perhaps a little play, training or enrichment.
The aim isn’t to completely exhaust your dog in the hope that they’ll sleep through the fireworks. An overtired or overstimulated dog isn’t necessarily a relaxed dog.
Instead, aim for a satisfying, fairly normal day before settling in for a quieter evening at home.
For outdoor cats, start encouraging them home earlier too.
Gradually bringing their evening meal forward can be a really useful way of establishing this new routine.
Call them home a little earlier each evening, offer dinner and encourage them to settle indoors afterwards.
By the time fireworks become more frequent, coming home before dark will hopefully feel completely normal.
Preparing early also gives you time to create a safe space, introduce any calming products you plan to use and speak to your vet if you already know that your pet has significant firework anxiety.
A little preparation before the season gets underway can make a very big difference once those unexpected bangs begin.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Home
Give your pet somewhere comfortable to retreat to if the noise becomes overwhelming.
The important thing is to create this before fireworks begin, rather than constructing a brand-new den after your pet is already frightened.
For a dog, this might be a cosy corner, a space behind the sofa or an open crate if they already see their crate as a safe and positive place.
For a cat, it could be a covered bed, cardboard box, space underneath furniture or another favourite hiding place.
You might add familiar bedding, a favourite blanket, familiar toys and fresh water nearby.
If possible, choose somewhere away from windows to help reduce outside flashes and noise.
Then leave it available so your pet can investigate and use it in their own time.
And remember, your pet gets to choose where they feel safest.
You may spend ages creating the most beautiful cosy den in the living room, only for your cat to decide that underneath your bed is clearly the superior accommodation!
That’s absolutely fine.
Never drag a frightened pet out of their hiding place, and don’t suddenly shut them into an unfamiliar crate or confined area.
Their safe place needs to feel safe to them.
Prepare the House Before It Gets Dark
Try to have your home prepared before the first fireworks begin, rather than waiting until your pet is already worried.
Bring outdoor cats inside well before dark, walk and toilet your dog earlier than usual, and check that windows, external doors and cat flaps are secure. Make sure your pet’s chosen safe space is ready and easily accessible so they can retreat there whenever they want to.
Close curtains and blinds before it gets dark. This can help reduce the sudden flashes from fireworks outside and make the room feel more sheltered.
Think about the lighting inside the house too. Rather than sitting in a dark room where every flash outside becomes very noticeable, keep a comfortable level of indoor lighting on. Lamps or your pet’s usual evening lighting can help reduce the contrast between the room and the bright flashes outside.
Background sound can also be really useful. Classical music played at a comfortable volume can provide a steady background that may help soften or mask some of the sudden bangs. Alternatively, leave the television on, particularly if your pet is already used to relaxing with it playing in the background.
There’s no need to turn the music or television up excessively. We aren’t trying to completely drown out the fireworks. The aim is simply to make those sudden bangs and flashes less of a contrast to the familiar sights and sounds inside your home.
If your dog normally spends the evening snoozing in the living room with a lamp on and the television playing quietly, keeping that familiar environment may be much more reassuring than suddenly leaving them in a silent, darkened room.
This preparation is especially important if you’re going out. Before you leave, make sure curtains are closed, comfortable lighting is left on, familiar background music or the television is playing, doors and windows are secure and your pet can freely access their usual safe places, water and other essentials.
However, if you already know that your dog or cat becomes very frightened or distressed by fireworks, wherever possible I would avoid leaving them alone during periods when fireworks are expected. A pet with significant firework anxiety may need your support and, in some cases, additional help from your vet.
If your pet enjoys food-based enrichment, you can also prepare a favourite lick mat, stuffed food toy, puzzle feeder or suitable chew in advance. Have it ready to offer if they’re relaxed enough to enjoy it, but don’t worry if they’re too anxious to eat.
The key is to make home feel safe, familiar and predictable. A little preparation before dusk means that when the fireworks start, your pet is already in the environment where they feel most secure.
Don’t Change Everything at Once
It can be tempting to buy every calming product you can find and introduce everything on Bonfire Night.
But imagine how strange that could feel to your pet.
Suddenly there’s a new bed, unfamiliar clothing, different smells, unusual food and different sounds, all on an evening when something frightening is already happening outside.
If you’re going to introduce something new, try to do it gradually beforehand.
The aim is to make home feel safe, familiar and predictable.
Walk Dogs Before Fireworks Begin
On evenings when fireworks are likely, try to complete your dog’s main walk before dark and before displays are expected to start.
Even a dog who isn’t normally frightened can be startled if a firework suddenly explodes nearby.
A frightened dog may bolt, pull unexpectedly or attempt to escape from a collar or harness.
Check that your dog’s collar or harness fits securely and keep them on a lead during higher-risk periods.
I’d also avoid letting dogs off lead once fireworks are likely, even if their recall is normally excellent. Fear can override behaviours that are usually very reliable.
Try to give your dog an opportunity to toilet before fireworks become particularly active too.
If they need to go into the garden later, accompany them. For a dog who is very frightened, using a lead even in the garden may provide an additional layer of security.
Check Microchips and Identification
This is a little job that takes just a few minutes but is well worth doing.
Check that the contact information registered against your dog’s or cat’s microchip is current.
For dogs, check their identification tag too. Make sure it is securely attached and that the information is still easy to read.
We hope you’ll never need those details, but frightened animals can behave completely out of character and sometimes escape.
Having the correct information registered against their microchip can make an enormous difference if a lost pet needs to be reunited with their family.
Helping Dogs and Cats During Fireworks
Once the fireworks have started, our priority changes from preparation to helping our pets feel as safe, secure and comfortable as possible.
There isn’t one approach that will suit every dog or cat.
Some pets want to be close to us, while others feel much safer hiding somewhere quiet. Some will happily eat treats or play with a food toy, while others may be far too worried to eat.
The most important thing is to pay attention to your individual pet and give them choices wherever possible.
During the evening, allow access to safe hiding places, keep curtains closed, use familiar background sound and keep the household as calm and predictable as you can.
Comfort pets who seek reassurance, but allow those who prefer to hide to do so.
Should I Comfort My Pet During Fireworks?
Yes, you can comfort your pet if they come to you for reassurance.
You don’t need to ignore a frightened dog or cat because you’re worried that giving them affection will somehow reward their fear.
If your dog wants to curl up beside you and finds gentle contact reassuring, let them.
At the same time, don’t force interaction.
One dog may want to sit practically on top of you all evening, while another disappears into their safe space.
Your cat might sit beside you, or they might decide that behind the wardrobe is the only sensible place to spend the evening.
Let your pet tell you what they need.
Keep Your Own Behaviour Calm and Familiar
Our pets are very good at noticing changes in us.
Try to keep your voice, movements and general routine relaxed and familiar.
You don’t need to make an enormous fuss every time a firework goes off. That doesn’t mean ignoring genuine distress. It simply means creating a calm and predictable environment around your pet.
If everyone leaps up and rushes to the window after every bang, your dog may understandably decide that something very important is happening outside.
Close the curtains, settle in and make home feel as ordinary and safe as possible.
Use Food and Enrichment to Help Your Pet Settle
If your dog is relaxed enough to eat, food-based enrichment can provide an enjoyable activity.
You could try:
A stuffed food toy
A lick mat
A suitable long-lasting chew
A puzzle feeder
A snuffle mat
Scatter feeding
Simple scent games
Prepare something earlier in the day so it’s ready before fireworks begin.
But don’t worry if your dog refuses it.
A frightened dog may simply be too stressed to eat. Don’t repeatedly push treats towards them if they clearly aren’t interested.
If your normally food-loving dog suddenly decides their favourite treat isn’t worth eating, that can actually tell us something useful about how worried they are feeling.
Helping Cats Cope with Fireworks
Cats can sometimes be overlooked when we talk about fireworks because their fear may be less obvious.
An anxious dog may pace, pant and shake beside us. A frightened cat may simply disappear.
Bring outdoor cats inside well before fireworks are expected to begin, ideally before it gets dark, and secure windows, doors and cat flaps appropriately.
Provide several places where they can hide rather than expecting them to use one particular bed. A cardboard box tucked into a quiet corner can be surprisingly popular.
Make sure your cat can easily reach food, fresh water, litter trays, comfortable resting areas and safe hiding places.
If you have several cats, provide multiple resources in different areas where possible.
Most importantly, don’t pull a hiding cat out to reassure them.
If they have chosen somewhere safe, allow them to stay there.
Give Pets Space in Multi-Pet Homes
Even pets who normally get along beautifully may behave differently when they’re frightened.
One animal may want company while another desperately wants to be left alone.
Provide several resting and hiding areas and let everyone choose where they settle.
Don’t force pets to stay together because you think they’ll comfort each other. Giving them choice and space can make an already stressful evening easier.
Be Extra Careful When Opening Doors
Think before opening your front or back door during fireworks.
A frightened dog or cat who would never normally attempt to escape may behave very differently following a sudden bang.
If you’re expecting visitors or deliveries, make sure your pet is safely away from the entrance first.
Let other family members know too.
It only takes a moment for a frightened animal to slip past someone.
Calming Products and When They May Help
There are lots of products available that are marketed to help pets feel calmer during stressful situations, and understandably it can be difficult to know where to start.
Depending on your pet, you may come across:
Pheromone diffusers, sprays or collars
Calming supplements
Calming diets
Compression or calming garments
Calming sprays
Enrichment products designed to encourage licking, chewing or sniffing
Some pets may find certain products helpful as part of a wider fireworks plan, particularly when they are introduced in advance rather than for the first time on Bonfire Night.
Pheromone products, for example, are designed to mimic particular chemical signals animals naturally use to communicate. They are not sedatives and won’t simply make a frightened pet go to sleep.
Similarly, supplements and calming products aren’t a magic solution. Something that appears helpful for one pet may make very little noticeable difference to another.
If you’re considering a calming product, speak to your veterinary team about what might be appropriate for your individual pet, particularly if they have an existing health condition or take other medication.
And give yourself enough time.
Some products and strategies are better introduced before fireworks become frequent.
Most importantly, please don’t rely on over-the-counter calming products alone if your pet is genuinely frightened or distressed by fireworks.
For some animals, they simply aren’t enough.
When Calming Products Aren’t Enough
There is a big difference between a pet who notices fireworks and seems mildly unsettled and an animal experiencing significant fear or panic.
A dog who spends hours trembling, panting, pacing or drooling, desperately trying to hide or escape, refusing favourite food or remaining unable to settle may be experiencing substantial distress.
You might also see scratching or chewing at doors, frantic attempts to get out, toileting indoors through fear or unusually intense clinginess.
Cats may show fear differently. They might remain hidden for prolonged periods, crouch, stop eating, become unusually withdrawn or make attempts to escape.
If your pet is experiencing this level of fear, a calming supplement, diffuser, pheromone product or calming garment may simply not provide enough support.
These pets don’t need us to keep trying one shop-bought product after another while they continue to experience severe distress.
They may need veterinary help.
When Prescription Medication May Be Needed
For some dogs and cats with moderate to severe firework fear, prescription-only medication from a veterinary surgeon may be appropriate.
It’s important that we talk openly about this.
Owners sometimes worry that needing medication means they haven’t done enough, or that medication should only ever be considered as an absolute last resort.
If an animal is experiencing significant fear or panic, appropriately prescribed veterinary medication can be an important part of protecting their welfare.
The aim isn’t simply to make an animal sleepy.
We want to reduce the fear and anxiety they are experiencing.
There are different prescription medicines that a vet may consider depending on the individual pet, their health, the severity and pattern of their fear, other medicines they take and how they have responded to fireworks previously.
That’s why prescription medication needs to be discussed with your vet and prescribed specifically for your pet.
Medication is also usually only one part of the plan.
We still want to provide a safe retreat, reduce flashes and outside noise, adjust walks and outdoor routines, keep the home calm and allow our pets to seek reassurance or hide when they need to.
For a severely frightened pet, the most appropriate approach may involve both veterinary-prescribed medication and careful management at home.
Please Don’t Wait Until Bonfire Night
If your dog or cat struggled badly with fireworks last year, please contact your veterinary practice before fireworks season gets underway.
Don’t wait until they’re already trembling, panting, hiding or desperately trying to escape before asking for help.
Depending on what is appropriate for your individual pet, your vet can discuss the available options and explain how and when any prescribed medication should be used.
Fireworks aren’t limited to 5 November either. Around North West London, we may hear them on numerous evenings surrounding Bonfire Night, as well as during other celebrations throughout the year.
If you remember thinking last year, “I really don’t want them to go through this again,” now is the time to speak to your vet.
Never Give Human or Someone Else’s Medication
Please never give your dog or cat human sedatives, sleeping tablets, anti-anxiety medicines or medication prescribed for another pet unless your veterinary surgeon has specifically instructed you to do so.
Something that is appropriate for one person or animal may be unsuitable or potentially dangerous for another.
Prescription medication should be prescribed for that individual pet and used exactly as directed by their veterinary surgeon.
If you aren’t sure whether your pet’s reaction to fireworks is severe enough to need additional support, please ask us.
We’d much rather talk about it early and help you decide on the most appropriate next step.
Don’t Forget Rabbits and Other Small Pets
Fireworks don’t only affect dogs and cats.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets can also be frightened by loud bangs, vibrations and flashes.
If your pets live outdoors, make sure their accommodation is secure and provide plenty of familiar bedding and safe places where they can hide.
Outdoor housing may be partially covered to reduce flashes and some noise, but always maintain plenty of ventilation.
If their accommodation can safely be moved to a quieter, sheltered location, that may help. However, avoid making dramatic last-minute changes that put an animal somewhere completely unfamiliar.
For animals who normally live outdoors, suddenly bringing them into a very warm house isn’t necessarily the best solution either. If you’re unsure what would be most appropriate for your individual pet, speak to your veterinary team.
For indoor small pets, close curtains and keep their environment calm and familiar.
And if your rabbit or guinea pig wants to hide, let them.
Repeatedly taking a frightened small pet out for cuddles may feel reassuring to us, but it may not be what they need.
Don’t Punish Frightened Behaviour
A frightened pet isn’t being naughty.
If your dog barks, refuses to go outside, becomes unusually clingy or has an accident indoors, punishment won’t help them understand what’s happening.
It risks adding another source of stress to an already frightening situation.
Likewise, don’t force a scared dog to remain outside because they “need to get used to it”.
If they’re too frightened to toilet in the garden, bring them back indoors and try again when things are quieter.
And if there is an occasional accident indoors during a particularly difficult night, quietly clean it up.
One accident on the carpet is far less important than making an already frightened dog even more distressed.
Think About Your Plans Too
If you already know your pet becomes extremely frightened during fireworks, think about your own plans in advance.
Where possible, try to have someone at home with a pet who has a history of severe firework fear during periods when fireworks are expected.
If you’re planning an evening out, make arrangements beforehand rather than discovering at the last minute that your pet is becoming very distressed.
What About the Morning After?
Once things appear to have quietened down, don’t assume the risk has completely disappeared.
There may still be the occasional unexpected firework later at night.
The following morning, take a quick look around your garden before allowing your pets to investigate.
Spent fireworks, sticks, packaging and other debris can sometimes land surprisingly far from where they were launched.
Remove anything suspicious before a curious pet has the opportunity to investigate it.
If you think your pet has swallowed firework debris or another potentially harmful object, contact your veterinary practice promptly for advice.
Make a Note of What Worked
Here’s a little tip that’s incredibly easy to forget.
After fireworks season, write down what worked.
Did your dog settle better in a particular room? Did familiar music help? Did they completely ignore the carefully prepared enrichment toy but spend the entire evening curled up on an old blanket?
Where did your cat choose to hide?
How early did you first notice signs of anxiety?
If your pet was receiving veterinary treatment, make a note of how they coped so you can discuss their response with your veterinary team too.
By next autumn, it can be surprisingly difficult to remember all the details.
Knowing what worked for your individual pet gives you a much better starting point next year.
Helping Your Pet Before Next Fireworks Season
For pets with significant noise fears, there may also be things we can work on when fireworks season is over.
Carefully managed sound desensitisation and counterconditioning programmes may help some animals become more comfortable with noises over time.
But this needs to be done carefully.
Simply playing recordings of fireworks loudly in the hope that your dog will “get used to them” can make fear worse.
Sound programmes should begin at a level where the animal remains comfortable and progress gradually.
If your pet has significant noise fears, speak to your veterinary team. In some cases, support from an appropriately qualified clinical animal behaviourist may also be recommended.
Your Fireworks Night Checklist
Before you settle in for the evening:
Walk and toilet your dog well before fireworks begin
Bring outdoor cats inside before dark
Check doors, windows, gates and cat flaps
Close curtains and blinds
Put on familiar background sound
Make sure safe hiding places are accessible
Prepare enrichment if your pet enjoys it
Keep food, fresh water and litter trays easily accessible
Check identification and microchip details
Be particularly careful when opening external doors
Give pets space from one another if they need it
Comfort pets who seek reassurance
Allow pets who want to hide to do so
Give veterinary-prescribed medication exactly as directed
Never give human medication or medication prescribed for another animal
Never punish frightened behaviour
And if you already know your pet becomes extremely distressed by fireworks, please don’t rely on calming products alone or wait until Bonfire Night to seek help. Speak to your veterinary team early.
A Calmer Fireworks Season for the Whole Family
There isn’t one magic product or trick that will make every dog or cat suddenly comfortable with fireworks.
For some pets, preparing a safe space, bringing walks forward, closing the curtains and providing familiar background sound may be all the support they need.
Others may benefit from calming products alongside these measures.
And for some pets, that simply won’t be enough.
If your dog is trembling, desperately trying to escape or unable to settle, or your cat is showing significant fear and distress, please don’t feel that they simply have to endure fireworks season.
Veterinary help is available, and for some pets prescription-only medication from a vet can be an important and appropriate part of helping them cope.
At Roundwood Vets, we’re always happy to support our pet-owning community in North West London. If you know your pet struggles with fireworks, please contact us early so we can discuss their individual needs and help you put a plan in place before the season gets underway.
A little preparation, and the right level of support for your individual pet, can make those noisy autumn evenings much easier for everyone.
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