Fireworks season can be incredibly challenging for pet owners—watching our beloved companions shake, hide, or panic as the sky erupts in noise and colour is distressing for everyone involved. But whilst it’s heartbreaking to witness, understanding why our pets react this way is the first step towards helping them cope.
Why Do Pets Find Fireworks So Frightening?
Take a moment to consider what fireworks actually are from an animal’s perspective: sudden, deafening bangs with no warning, sharp whistles and pops, bright flashes lighting up the darkness, acrid burning smells, and sometimes even vibrations that rumble through the ground.
Animals experience all of this far more intensely than we do. Their hearing is significantly more sensitive, their sense of smell more acute, and—crucially—they have absolutely no understanding of what’s happening or why. Whilst we might jump at a particularly loud bang, we know it’s just fireworks and we’re safe. Our pets don’t have that reassurance. Their fear response is completely normal and understandable.
Creating a Safe Haven
The foundation of helping your pet through fireworks is providing them with a safe space where they feel secure:
For dogs and cats: This might be under your bed, in an open crate covered with blankets to muffle sound, or in a quiet room away from windows. Let your pet choose where they feel safest—don’t force them into a space they’re uncomfortable with.
For rabbits and other small pets: Consider bringing hutches into a garage or shed for the evening, or moving indoor cages to the quietest room in your house.
The key is making this space available before the fireworks start, so your pet already knows where to go when they feel anxious.
Prevention: Preparation is Everything
Exercise and mental stimulation: Tire your pet out earlier in the day with plenty of walks, play sessions, and brain games. A mentally and physically tired animal will have lower baseline anxiety levels.
Adjust walk times: Take dogs out earlier whilst it’s still light, well before fireworks typically begin. Keep them on lead during evening toilet breaks—even the most reliable recall can fail when a dog is frightened.
Keep cats indoors: Start keeping cats inside as soon as it gets dark during fireworks season. A panicked cat can run for miles and become lost.
The Power of Comfort
There’s an old myth that comforting a frightened dog will “reinforce” their fear. This simply isn’t true—you cannot reinforce an emotion. If your pet comes to you for comfort, absolutely give it to them. You are their safe person, and helping them feel secure during a frightening experience strengthens your bond and helps them cope.
Tools and Products That Can Help
Calming Scents
Pet Remedy: Suitable for multi-species households, available as diffusers or sprays
Adaptil (Dog Appeasing Pheromone): Available as diffusers, collars, or sprays specifically for dogs
Feliway: Synthetic facial pheromone for cats, available as diffusers, collars, or sprays
These pheromone products work by creating a sense of calm and security in your pet’s environment.
Pressure Wraps
T-Touch Wraps: These raise body awareness and help calm anxious pets through gentle contact
Thundershirts: Apply gentle, constant pressure similar to swaddling an infant. Many dogs find this incredibly soothing. (Note: If your dog is also sensitive to Velcro sounds, a body wrap might be better)
Food-Based Calming
Stuffed Kongs: Fill these with your pet’s dinner or special treats and give them before fireworks start. Once the anxiety kicks in, many pets lose interest in food, so timing is important. The act of licking and chewing is naturally calming and can help take the edge off their stress.
Sound Therapy
Specialised CDs and apps:
- Clix Noises and Sounds CD (for treatment and prevention of sound phobias)
- Through a Dog’s Ear music therapy
- Taiko Drumming recordings
- ‘Soundproof Puppy Training’ phone app
- White noise machines
These can help desensitise pets over time when used in training, and also provide masking sounds during the actual events.
Your Fireworks Night Checklist
When you know fireworks are likely:
✓ Close all windows and curtains to muffle sound and block flashes ✓ Turn on the TV or play calming music at a reasonable volume ✓ Switch on lights to minimise the impact of flashes ✓ Plug in calming diffusers ✓ Prepare stuffed Kongs in advance ✓ Put on your pet’s Thundershirt or body wrap ✓ Ensure all pets are safely indoors ✓ Keep outdoor pets in a safe, enclosed space like a garage (ensuring temperature is appropriate) ✓ Stay home if possible—your presence is comforting ✓ Talk to your vet about anxiety medication
If Your Pet Is Still Struggling
Some pets have such severe anxiety around fireworks that despite all these measures, they still struggle significantly. This level of fear can be genuinely traumatic and shouldn’t be ignored.
If your pet:
- Shakes uncontrollably
- Attempts to escape or becomes destructive
- Refuses to eat for extended periods
- Shows signs of distress for hours after fireworks have ended
- Develops anxiety about going outside even when there are no fireworks
Please get in touch. There are additional behaviour modification techniques, desensitisation programmes, and in some cases, veterinary-prescribed anxiety medications that can help. No pet should have to endure severe terror every autumn.
Final Thoughts
Fireworks anxiety is one of the most common issues pet owners face, and it’s important to remember that your pet’s fear is genuine and valid. With preparation, patience, and the right support, you can help them get through fireworks season more comfortably.
Need Help?
If your pet is struggling with fireworks anxiety or sound sensitivities, I’m here to help with tailored behaviour support, helping your pet through fireworks season.