Keeping Your Pets Safe and Stress-Free on Firework Night

As Bonfire Night approaches, many of us look forward to the spectacle of fireworks lighting up the sky. However, this time of year can be distressing for our pets, who often find the loud noises and bright flashes frightening. Pets, especially cats, dogs, and small animals, can be startled by sudden bangs, which may lead to stress, anxiety, and even panic. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe, calm, and as stress-free as possible on firework night.

1. Create a Safe Haven
Providing a safe and quiet place for your pet to retreat is one of the best ways to help them cope with the noise. Choose a room in your house where the fireworks are less likely to be heard, such as a room without windows or a room in the centre of the house. Place their bed, favourite toys, and a few treats there to make it feel like a cosy hideaway.

For cats, consider setting up a quiet corner with their bedding, some high perches, or covered hiding spots. Small animals, like rabbits and guinea pigs, benefit from having extra bedding in their enclosures so they can burrow and feel secure.

2. Muffle the Sound
Reducing the impact of fireworks noise can make a significant difference. Close windows, curtains, and doors to help insulate your home against the sound. You can also play gentle music or turn on the TV at a low volume to create some ambient noise, which can help drown out the sounds of fireworks.

If you have dogs, consider using special calming music playlists specifically designed to help them relax. You may also want to place blankets over your pet's crate or bed, as the extra layer can help muffle the sound further and make them feel safer.

3. Maintain a Routine
Pets, particularly dogs, are sensitive to changes in their routine, which can add to their stress. Keep feeding times, walk schedules, and playtime as close to normal as possible. Before the fireworks start, take dogs for an early evening walk to ensure they’ve had the chance to exercise and relieve themselves.

For small animals who live outside, consider bringing their enclosures indoors temporarily. If this isn’t possible, cover their enclosures with thick blankets to help block out sound and reduce the visual impact of bright flashes.

4. Provide Distractions
Keeping your pets’ minds occupied can prevent them from fixating on the sounds outside. Engaging toys and long-lasting treats, such as chew toys or treat-dispensing puzzles, can be a good way to keep dogs and cats busy. Cats may also appreciate interactive toys like laser pointers or feather wands.

For rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals, provide safe chew toys or scatter food around their enclosure to encourage foraging, which can be calming.

5. Consider Calming Aids
Calming products, like pheromone diffusers or sprays, can help reduce anxiety in pets. Pheromone diffusers mimic the natural calming scents animals produce, providing a comforting atmosphere. Available in pet shops, these diffusers can be plugged into the area where your pet spends most of their time.

Additionally, calming wraps and anxiety vests can provide a gentle, swaddling pressure on your pet, which some animals find reassuring. Always consult your vet before using any supplements or sedatives, especially if your pet has a pre-existing health condition.

6. Stay Calm and Reassuring
Animals are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions. If you’re anxious or agitated, your pet may pick up on this and become more stressed. Remain calm, act normally, and avoid fussing over your pet too much if they’re showing signs of distress. Sometimes, excessive attention can inadvertently reinforce their anxious behaviour.

If your pet wants to hide, let them. Don’t force them out, as this may make them feel even less secure. Letting them handle their stress in a way that feels natural to them is often the most helpful thing you can do.

7. Prepare in Advance
Planning ahead can make a huge difference. If you know that firework displays are planned in your area, aim to prepare your pet’s safe space and have calming aids ready a few days in advance. This gives your pet time to adjust to the changes and settle into their safe haven.

Also, ensure that pets like dogs and cats are microchipped and wearing collars with ID tags in case they accidentally run off in a panic. If your pet does escape, this will increase the likelihood of a safe return home.

8. Seek Advice from Your Vet
If your pet has severe anxiety, speak to your vet for personalised advice. They can suggest specific coping strategies, prescribe medications, or even recommend behaviour therapy for pets with extreme reactions to fireworks. Many pets respond well to training methods designed to gradually desensitise them to loud noises, but this process requires patience and should be done over time, well before the fireworks season.