Fireworks can be frightening for pets, each species displays fear and needs comfort in its own way. Here is some useful advice on how to help your pets during the fireworks season.

The bright flashes and loud bangs of fireworks can be exciting for people, but very frightening for our dogs and cats. Because when they hear/see it, it is difficult for them to understand that there is no danger to them, and their senses are much better than ours – so they experience fireworks much more intensely than we do!

Cats and Fireworks

30% of cat owners from a recent PAW report said their cat is afraid of fireworks. That is 3.3 million cats in the UK.

Signs of fear in Cats

• Cowering and hiding behind or on top of furniture
• Trying to run away or escape from the house
• Going to the toilet in the house
• Refusing to eat

Dogs and Fireworks

41% of dog owners from a recent PAW report said their dog is afraid of fireworks. That is 4.1 million dogs in the UK.

Signs Of Fear In Dogs

• Trembling and shaking
• Panting
• Barking
• Pacing
• Cowering and hiding behind furniture
• Being clingy
• Trying to run away
• Destructive behaviour e.g. chewing furniture
• Toileting in the house
• Refusing to eat
• Small changes in their normal behavior

Let’s Talk Cats!

Should I Keep My Cat Indoors?

To reduce cat distress during Bonfire Night festivities, keep them indoors after dark, giving them a ‘cat curfew’ to avoid noisy fireworks displays and encourage them to curl up on the sofa.

Tips to help keep your cat indoors:

• Food and water bowls
• A place to hide (cardboard boxes, cosy bed, a safe den)
• Toys or games to keep them occupied

How To Keep My Cat Calm During Fireworks

• Indoors before dark – Secure windows and cat flaps to prevent escape. Introduce an earlier dinner time a few weeks in advance to ensure they return home before dark.
• Close your curtains before it gets dark and leave the lights on to hide the flashes.
• Safe space – make them a den or a hiding place to retreat to should they get too scared.
• Play music – Music will help drown out the noises of the fireworks, make sure it is a volume your cat is comfortable with.
• Pheromones – You can use pheromones to keep your cat calm. Cats produce chemical messages to mark their territory and communicate, some of which help them feel calm. To help them feel calm, use a pheromone diffuser or spray containing man-made ‘happy’ cat pheromones, plug it in weeks before firework season, and let it settle for 15 minutes.
• Distract them with something fun to do such as a game, some treats, or a toy stuffed with food.
• Avoid confining cats to one room, as it may increase stress and encourage them to squeeze into tight spaces, so block off unsuitable areas for safety.
• Never punish them for anything they do when they’re scared – this will just scare them more.

Let’s Talk Dogs!

Be Prepared For Firework Season

• Ensure your dog’s microchip details are up to date just in case they run away from home.
• Check the dates of nearby fireworks displays
• Walk your dogs in the daylight before it goes dark.

How to keep my dog calm during fireworks

• Ensure your dog gets home before dark and walks during light hours, allowing them to explore and tire out before the fireworks start.
• Close your curtains before it gets dark and leave the lights on to hide the flashes.
• Safe space – make them a den or a hiding place to retreat to should they get too scared.
• Play music – Music will help drown out the noises of the fireworks, make sure it is a volume your cat is comfortable with.
• Maintain normal routines and behavior, but if necessary, provide fun distractions like games, puzzle feeders, or food-filled toys
• Provide comfort and support when needed, but don’t ignore them. Allow them to be alone, but keep a close eye on them.
• It is advised to monitor their interactions with other pets as they may exhibit increased irritability if they are scared.
• Ensure your dog is on a lead and wait for a gap before taking them out, as they may bolt from their garden.
• Never punish your dog for anything they do when they’re scared – this will just scare them more.

If you have tried all the steps within this article and your dog or cat is still petrified of fireworks and you are really worried for their health, please contact us:

Thank you for reading, we hope you find this useful, until next time…