Fireworks during the festive period

Firework season is a very stressful time of year for many pets and owners - just under half of the UK dog population, and many cats, react to sudden loud noises. If ignored, the problem tends to get worse over time and can expand to include fear of other loud noises, such as thunder, and eventually everyday noises such as doors slamming.

Download a PDF leaflet about fireworks and pets.

Pets show varied stress reactions to firework noise - they can withdraw into themselves and hide, soil in the house, and sometimes become destructive or even harm themselves whilst trying to escape from the noise.

To successfully manage firework-related stress, it is important to consider the short-term problem, when fireworks will be heard, and also find a long-term solution.

Things to do straight away

Provide a den or hiding place

Animals naturally hide when they are scared and it can help to provide a ‘safe place’ which they can squeeze into, like an under stairs cupboard or an indoor kennel with blankets over the top and inside. An ideal place is somewhere near the centre of the house, or somewhere they have already hidden.

Muffle the sound of fireworks

Close curtains, shut outside doors and windows, and have your pet as near to the centre of the house as possible. Put on the TV or radio to mask the bangs.

Keep them inside

Don’t let pets outside when fireworks are likely or during a display. Take dogs out for toilet purposes before it gets dark and then keep them in. A firework going off when they are outside can lead to a fear of going out.

Don't over-fuss them

This can be difficult, but if they rely on you for comfort during scary events, they will be less able to cope when you are not at home and make matters worse in the long term.

Stay calm yourself

Most pets can sense when their owners are worried, and this increases their stress. Let them hide in the den, and leave them there until the fireworks have finished and they come out. You can give your pet lots of fuss once they emerge.

Don't get angry

Although your pets behaviour may be annoying, it is happening because they are scared and getting cross will only make them worse. Don’t try and take your pet out of its hiding place – this increases their stress and could lead to aggression.

Prepare for unusual behaviour

Fear can make your pet behave out of character. For example, if they anticipate that going into the garden predicts a loud noise, they may hide or show aggression to avoid going outside.

Call us on 01580 713381 to talk to a vet for more advice

We can advise short-term measures which may include medications, particularly if they don’t settle but pace around in distress. This will help reduce your pets stress during upcoming firework events and help prevent their fears becoming worse. Your vet can also advise a long-term preventative approach like Zylkene and desensitization DVD’s.

Other options include Feliway for cats and Adaptil for Dogs which are synthetic copies of appeasing pheromones which helps to calm them and mark their home as a safe environment.

Zylkène can help many dogs and cats at times when fireworks are heard - start a day or two before they are expected and continue throughout fireworks time. In some areas, the season now extends from mid October until after New Year rather than just a few days either side of November 5th. Zylkène can be used long-term, and can help your pet through Bonfire Night, Diwali, Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Long-term control

Once fireworks season has passed, it’s time to think about long-term control of the problem. Sound desensitisation has shown to be a very effective way of managing the problem long-term. The Zylkène Sound Desensitisation Programme has been prepared in association with the Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group at the University of Bristol. The programme includes clear written and verbal instructions plus a practice track to help get you started and use the programme effectively. Uniquely, it includes component sounds, as breaking sounds into components avoids overwhelming very sensitive pets. Giving Zylkène can help your pet during a sound desensitisation programme.

By considering both the short and long-term aspects of managing this common problem, you and your pet should have a stress free fireworks season for many years to come.