Both our dogs are completely different, our Golden Retriever shows no reaction whatsoever to Fireworks, but our Border Collie hears and reacts to everything. Lots of pets are anxious and frightened of fireworks – around 40% of owners of cats and dogs report that their pet is afraid of fireworks. Loud bangs and high pitched sounds can be scary for our four-pawed friends. Luckily, with the right care, you can keep your pet calm and help them cope.
Signs of Stress in your pets:
If your pet is showing these symptoms, they might be finding firework season stressful.
Speak to your vet for more advice about how to help them.
Dogs:
Trembling and shaking
Clinging to owners
Excessive barking
Cowering and hiding behind furniture
Trying to run away
Going to the toilet in the house
Pacing and panting
Refusing to eat
Destructive behaviour (chewing furniture etc).
Cats:
Cowering and hiding behind or on top of furniture
Trying to run away
Going to the toilet around the house, instead of outside or in their litter box
Refusing to eat.
Rabbits:
Stamping hind feet
Staying motionless
Trying to escape.
Good socialisation – getting them used to common sights and sounds – will help your kitten or puppy grow up to be a calm and confident adult.
Younger Pets
Try and get young pets use to sounds such as fireworks at an early age, play them on a lower volume through an Alexa or Google type of device or through a speaker via youtube and perhaps increase the volume slightly (depending on their reaction). If your pet hears the sound of fireworks at a young age in a safe, calm environment, they’re more likely to be calm and unafraid when they hear real fireworks.
Older Pets
If your dog, cat or rabbit is already suffering from a phobia of fireworks there are lots of things you can do to help reduce their fears and get them through the season. A couple of months before, get them use to the noises. Again start at the lowest possible volumes and very gradually increase the volume and duration of sounds each day over a number of weeks. Reward and praise any calm behaviours and if you see anxiety, stop immediately and take it back to the previous volume – only progress when they are calm.
Different pets cope with the noise of fireworks in different ways. Give them a safe place to hide but let them be near you if they’d rather. If your pet is used to seeking reassurance from you in stressful times, gently talk to and distract them as you would normally. This is a short-term solution to help your pet cope while they’re afraid. In the long term, it’s important to give your pet another way to cope – e.g. by providing a den – in case you aren’t there when they’re scared.
Create a den. This will give your pet a place to hide where they feel safe. Dogs might like a den behind a sofa in a quiet room or even at the bottom of a cupboard. In the weeks leading up to firework season, give your dog access to this den at all times. Cover the den with blankets and line it with pillows or cushions to absorb some of the noise. Give healthy treats and praise when your dog uses it, to build a positive association but don’t force them to use it if they prefer to hide somewhere else.
Cats often feel safest when high up. So they may prefer a space on a shelf or the top of a cupboard. A covered cat bed is ideal to help them feel protected, but make sure this is well secured so it won’t accidentally fall off. If they already have a favourite place to hide, encourage them to use this and give them healthy treats when they do.
Use a pheromone plug-in. Pheromones are scents that calm pets (and some people say it works on them too!), but we can’t smell them.
Plan ahead. Make a note of the dates of local fireworks displays in your diary, or put a reminder in your phone. This will help you to plan ahead and make sure you can be there for your pet when they need you.
What should I do on firework nights to help keep my cat or dog calm?
Take your dog for a walk well before fireworks are due to begin. More walks the better, why not take the day off from work and take them on a few long walks throughout the day or hire a dog walker, so that they're more settled throughout the day.
Don’t pick up cats or restrain them if they are scared: cats prefer to control how they cope.
Keep doors, windows and cat and dog flaps closed.
Draw the curtains and play music with a repetitive beat to help mask the sounds.
If your pet prefers to go away and hide, let them. Leave them alone and don’t try to comfort them – this is their way of coping.
If your pet is used to seeking reassurance from you in stressful times, comfort them as you would normally.
Stay calm yourself. Keep your tone, mood and behaviour as normal as possible. If you get very anxious or comfort your pet more than usual, this can make your pet more unsettled.
Never punish your pets. It’s not their fault they’re scared and it adds to their anxiety.
Get your pet microchipped - if they run away from home, there is more chance you will be reunited.
How to help small pets and wildlife on bonfire night
Partly cover hutches and outdoor cages with blankets, so they’re more sound-proofed. If your rabbits or guinea pigs are still outdoors then it’s a good idea to move the hutch into a car-free garage or shed a few nights before bonfire night or organised fireworks displays.
Make sure your pets have hiding places and secure areas where they can feel safe.
Give plenty of bedding – this helps keep noise out and provides a hiding place.
Ensure the bonfire is nowhere near any pets.
Hedgehogs may think an unlit bonfire is a great place to sleep. So build any bonfires as late as possible, investigate thoroughly and disturb around the bottom of it before lighting, to let any wildlife escape.
How to help a pet with severe phobias
Pets that are scared of fireworks and other loud noises can be treated for their fear using behavioural training. It takes time and patience, but can really help your pet.
Speak to your vet about your pet’s fear of loud noises. They’ll thoroughly check there isn’t a medical reason for their stress e.g. thyroid disease.
Your vet may recommend behavioural therapy, or suggest referral to an accredited pet behaviourist. Behavioural therapy often uses a technique called ‘desensitisation and counter-conditioning’. Over time, this teaches your pet that loud noises are nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes medication prescribed by a vet is used to help with the behavioural therapy.
Owners sometimes ask vets to prescribe tranquilisers for their pet. Some drugs that were once popular are no longer used because they don’t reduce fear, just an animal’s ability to respond. This can make a pet’s fear of fireworks even worse. However, there are products licensed for use with fireworks phobias that may help to reduce anxiety without just sedating pets. Speak to your vet about whether this is appropriate for your pet.
Pet calming playlists
Creating a soundtrack on Spotify, Amazon or iTunes to disguise the whizzes and bangs of bonfire night can help to keep your pet calm. Music can work well for pets perhaps try some Rock for Dogs and some Classical for Cats, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Failing that try putting the Radio or TV on to try and disguise the very loud bangs.
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