How to prepare your pets for fireworks season
5 October 2023
As we head towards the end of the year, we also go into fireworks season which is often a distressing and traumatic time for your pets. They can be petrified by bright lights, loud bangs, and all the whizzing and popping that comes with them. We’ve put together some advice to help you keep your pets as safe and comfortable as possible during the fireworks season.
Create a safe space
It’s important that your pet has somewhere to go where they feel safe. A crate with a blanket over the top can work well for a dog, and a bed or cardboard box lined with blankets or a resting place up high for cats. However, pets shouldn’t be confined to their safe space as they may wish to come and go, or even find their own around the house. Make sure that all doors and windows are closed, and curtains are drawn.
If you have rabbits or guinea pigs housed outdoors, if you can, bring their hutch indoors into a quiet room, shed or garage, and close the curtains. If this isn’t possible, you should cover their enclosure with a thick blanket or duvet to help block sound and light, making sure there is still good ventilation, and provide extra bedding for them to burrow in.
Keep pets inside
It’s impossible to know if a rouge firework is going to go off besides a known firework display, but if it’s around bonfire night or New Year, avoid taking your dog for a walk in the dark, as they can be easily spooked and run away should a firework be let off. If you can, walk your dog before it gets dark and encourage your cat to be home before sundown – feeding them a bit earlier for a few weeks before will help to get them into the routine. Do your research and find out when local firework displays are happening, so that you can plan ahead. Both dogs and cats will be much safer if they are kept inside during those displays.
As far as possible, carry on with your normal routines and behaviour, comfort your pet but without fuss if they come to you for reassurance, but let them be on their own if that’s what they choose.
Ensure your pets have identification
If your dog or cat accidentally escapes or runs away in a panic, it’s so important that they have easily readable identification such as a microchip or collar tag, so that they can be easily reunited with you as quickly as possible.
Provide background noise
Turning on the TV or radio can be especially helpful as it can drown out some of the noise, making your pet feel more settled. Radio stations such as Classic FM have a specific show called Pet Classics.
Look out for signs of stress
Learn to recognise the signs of firework-related stress and fear. In dogs, this can include shaking, whining, whimpering or barking, excessive panting or drooling, hiding, clinginess to you, restlessness, dilated pupils, and toileting in the house. In cats, this includes excessively grooming themselves, toileting in the house, hiding, eating or drinking less, restlessness, or pacing. However, not all pets will show obvious signs of fear, so look out for any changes in their behaviour. For more information on keeping your pets calm during fireworks season, speak to your vet.
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