Fireworks Anxiety in Pets & What You Can Do to Help

There’s no arguing that fireworks are stunning, but those colourful sparks that fill us with joy can be incredibly distressing for our pets and local wildlife. The RSPCA even calls them "a terrifying ordeal" for animals.

While fireworks can be purchased from licensed retailers year-round, they are more widely accessible during seasonal periods in the UK, such as:

• Bonfire Night: October 15th - November 10th
• New Year: December 26th - December 31st
• Diwali: From 3 days before Diwali until the day of
• Chinese New Year: From 3 days before the Chinese New Year until the day of

By familiarising yourself with times when fireworks are more accessible, you can better prepare your pet and help them cope with firework stress.

In this article, we look at the effect fireworks can have on animals and how to keep your pet calm during fireworks.

Why Are Animals Scared of Fireworks?

There are several reasons why fireworks can be frightening for pets, and as pet owners, we must understand these fears so we can better help our pets cope and avoid overreacting.

Some of the core reasons pets are scared of fireworks include:

Loud Noises & Strange Sounds

One of the key characteristics of fireworks is the noise they produce, which varies from loud bangs and pops to hissing and fizzing sounds. A single firework can reach 120-175 decibels (dB), which is loud enough to cause ear damage and pain in humans.

Most animals have far better hearing than humans, picking up quieter sounds and hearing over wider distances, so you can only imagine how loud this would be for them.

According to the RSPCA, "dogs and horses can suffer from tinnitus, hearing loss, and long-term hearing damage caused by fireworks," and that's not taking into account the stress and fear it can cause in all animals.

Only in 2018, a greyhound in Kent had to be put to sleep after breaking both legs in a desperate attempt to escape after being spooked by fireworks, and this case is not isolated. Between 2021 and 2024, the RSPCA received over 14,000 responses to their impact survey on fireworks, many with their own tales of tragedy.

Bright Flashing Lights

Perhaps the most exciting thing about fireworks is the way they light up the sky with showers of coloured sparks, but this can also add to your pet's fireworks anxiety.

Bright and flashing lights can be just as frightening for pets as the loud noises, and their unpredictability is enough to put any animal on edge.

It's important to remember that fireworks are still a form of explosive with chemical reactions occurring inside the rocket to create sparks in various colours. These chemical reactions also release smoke and acrid smells that your pet's sensitive nose might pick up, depending on how far away the display.

Fireworks are Unpredictable

The trouble with fireworks is that there's never just the one. Fireworks displays can last anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes (sometimes longer), but they often explode in quick succession, seemingly at random.

The unpredictability of fireworks can put pets on high alert, making it a challenge to get them to settle. It's also much trickier to prepare for a stressor that you don't know if it's coming, and fireworks are not reserved for holidays - anyone over the age of 18 can buy fireworks and set them off from any private property, including from gardens.

Broadly speaking, fireworks season in the UK can last from early October to Early January the following year, with a greater concentration of fireworks and later cut-offs for holidays. Mark down the dates of local holiday displays in your area and take necessary precautions to help your pet stay calm during fireworks.

Signs Your Pets Scared of Fireworks

All pets are different and may show their fear differently. By understanding some of the common signs of anxiety in pets, you can better recognise if your pet is struggling.

Signs of fear vary by animal, but here's a breakdown of the key signs of fireworks anxiety in dogs, cats, and horses:

Firework Anxiety in Dogs

When we say "Firework Anxiety", you're probably thinking of a dog that barks at the sound of a firework? While this may be a sign that your dog is afraid of fireworks, it's not the only sign.

Signs your dog is scared of fireworks include:

• Low body language (tucked tail, body low to the ground, ears flattened)
• Trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, restlessness, drooling,
• Yawning, lip licking, "Whale Eyes" (seeing the whites of a dog's eye)
• Excessive vocalising (barking, whining, crying, etc., more than usual)
• Toileting accidents, refusing treats or food, being clingy
• Destructive behaviours (chewing, digging, scratching)

Firework Anxiety in Cats

Cats are believed to have better hearing than even dogs, not just in terms of frequency, but also in terms of range. It's part of what makes them such adept hunters. A cat's ears can actually turn 180 degrees to more accurately pinpoint sounds, almost like a satellite dish.

The loud noises from fireworks are even more intense for cats, with the potential for hearing damage occurring at levels as low as 85 dB for prolonged durations. Fireworks can reach over 120dB, which could significantly damage your cat's inner ear, potentially leading to hearing loss.

Signs your cat is afraid of fireworks include:

• Low body language (tucked or slight tail flicking, ears turned outwards or turning quickly)
• Avoiding eye contact, shifting their head or body away, holding their tail tight to their body
• Excessive grooming, vocalising, and vigilance
• Hiding, freezing, trying to escape
• Changes in appetite or behaviour, such as refusing to eat or toileting outside of a litter box

Firework Anxiety in Horses

According to an article on noise anxiety in horses from 2022, "22% of horse owners reported unusual behaviours during fireworks," which, due to the unpredictable nature of fireworks and a horse's strong "Flight" instinct to flee from threats, puts both the horse and their handler at risk.

Some of the key signs of fireworks anxiety in horses include:

• Trembling or shaking
• Pacing, box walking, fence running, or backing into the corner of the stalls
• Snorting, whinnying, or making other stressed sounds
• Kicking, striking, bucking, sudden bolting, or freezing in place
• Holding their head higher than usual, wide eyes, flared nostrils, excessive sweating (also called stress sweat in horses)
• Pawing at the ground with their hoof and/or rapid swishing of their tail
• Lack of interest in food or water

Keeping Pets Safe During Fireworks

Our pets don't understand what fireworks are and are likely to perceive them as a threat, which can activate their "fight or flight" response, potentially leading to drastic consequences. A fearful pet is not a thinking pet, and many escape or become injured due to fireworks anxiety.

As a pet owner, ensuring your animals' safety during fireworks should be your top priority.

Here are our top tips for Pet Fireworks Safety:

1. Ensure your pets are microchipped, and the details are up to date. In the event of an escape, your pet can be easily identified by a vet or a rescue, improving your chances of a happy reunion.
2. Keep your pets inside after dark. Walk dogs during daylight hours and provide an indoor litter tray for cats.
3. Secure your pet's environment by closing windows, doors, cat flaps, and curtains to prevent escape attempts.
4. Create a safe space for your pet. Fill it with their favourite toys, some treats, and make it as cosy as possible to encourage them to settle.
5. Stay home with your pet. No one should struggle alone, even pets. Stay home during firework displays or have someone else stay with your pet to provide comfort, normalcy, and to keep an eye on how they manage.

How to Calm Dogs During Fireworks

In October 2025, on behalf of the RSPCA, Savanta conducted a poll on attitudes towards fireworks in the UK, which revealed that almost two-thirds of dog owners who responded said fireworks had negatively impacted their dogs.

Not only are fireworks loud and bright, but they are also scary to dogs, and that fear can manifest as fight (fear-related aggression) or flight (escape attempts), both of which can lead to injury or further stress.

Below, we detail the key things you can do to keep your dog safe and calm before and during fireworks:

Before Fireworks

• Introduce dog calming aids a week or two before firework season is due to start (early Oct)

• Walk your dog earlier during daylight hours
• Ensure your dog's microchip is up to date
• Close windows and curtains to muffle sounds and block light
• Lead your dog to their safe space before fireworks start

During Fireworks

Stay home with your dog, or have someone else stay with them during fireworks

• Carry on as usual - show your dog there's no reason to be afraid
• Have a TV, radio, or playlist on to mask the sound of fireworks
• Offer a toy to play with your dog - don't force them if they're not interested
• Try to minimise bathroom breaks in case of fireworks being set off in nearby gardens

If your dog is anxious and seems stressed out or afraid of fireworks, you can also try introducing a dog calming aid, like a diffuser or supplement. Make sure to introduce any calming solutions a week or so before fireworks season to help your pet adjust.

In some cases, your vet may even prescribe dog anxiety medication, which can help your dog cope better with fireworks.

How to Calm Cats During Fireworks

As with dogs, cats can really struggle during firework season, especially if they are free-roaming cats who are caught outside when the displays begin.

Despite being apex predators, a cat's instinct in the face of a threat is usually to run and hide, likely because they're equipped as ambush hunters (sneaking up behind their prey using stealth and speed) rather than fighters.

The worry with this is that if your cat is free-roaming outdoors when the displays start, they might not come home. Instead, they may seek refuge in unsafe places (garages, sheds, chimneys, under cars, etc), dart out into the road, or otherwise injure themselves or get lost in their desperate attempt to flee.

Below, we detail the key things you can do to keep your cat safe and calm before and during fireworks:

Before Fireworks

• Introduce cat calming aids a week or two before firework season is due to start (early Oct)
• Ensure your cat's microchip details are up to date
• Time your cat's meals to coincide with sunset so they know when to come home
• Keep your cat in after dark and lock your cat flap to prevent escapes
• Create a safe space wherever your cat feels safest (high up, under furniture, in a box, etc)
• Set up an indoor litter tray so your cat can use it if they need to

During Fireworks

• Stay home with your cat, or have someone else stay home with them during fireworks
• Close all windows, doors and curtains to muffle noise and block light
• Stay home with your dog, or have someone else stay with them during fireworks
• Carry on as usual - show your dog there's no reason to be afraid
• Have a TV, radio, or playlist on to mask the sound of fireworks
• Let your cat hide. If they're safe, don't try to coax them out. They'll come out when they're ready.

If you know your cat is prone to anxiety from fireworks, book an appointment with your veterinarian a few weeks in advance. Your vet can assess your cat and, if necessary, prescribe medication to help them better cope with anxiety.

Keeping Outdoor Pets Safe During Fireworks

It’s not just cats and dogs that find fireworks distressing. Outdoor pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and horses can also suffer during this time from all the noise and lights. Here we’ve put together ways to keep these animals safe from fireworks.

Small Pets and Fireworks

If you have a small pet such as a rabbit, hamster, bird, or other types of small animals, here are ways that you can help them during fireworks:

• Cover cages or pens with blankets so it’s soundproofed and hidden, but leave space so the animal can look out and know they're safe.

• Provide bedding for small animals to burrow and make a safe space.

• For outside cages, consider moving them indoors where possible so that the sound is muffled. This may need to be done gradually, so plan ahead.

How to Keep Horses Safe During Fireworks

If you’re a horse owner, it’s likely your horse will be scared of the flashes and bangs. Here’s how you can help horses during fireworks:

• If your horse is outside, give them plenty of hay to keep them occupied.
• If stabled, put a radio on to mask the noise of the fireworks, but make sure that the horse can’t access the radio.
• Check on your horse regularly to make sure they are okay and they know they’re not alone.
• If you know there are going to be fireworks in your area, try to talk to the organisers to explain there are horses nearby and see if they can set them off in the opposite direction.
• For extra help, you can try horse calmers to try and ease any anxiety or stress your horse may have from fireworks.

For more, check out the British Horse Society (BHS) for advice on Keeping Your Horse Safe During Fireworks.

How to Protect Wildlife During Fireworks

Keeping animals calm during fireworks season goes beyond just the pets in your care. Local wildlife and even other people's animals are likely to be frightened, too, but there are some things you can do to help lessen the blow for them.

1. Go to an organised fireworks display rather than purchasing your own to lessen the amount being set off and reduce the noise. Or, try and choose low-noise fireworks.
2. Make sure if you are setting off your fireworks that they aren’t being set off near any livestock, and inform people in the local area who do have animals that there will be a display nearby so they can prepare.
3. Do not set off fireworks near any known habitat spots for local wildlife, such as lakes, ponds or trees that may have animals nesting in them. Also, make sure to check the area you’re planning to use for any signs of burrows or nests.
4. For Bonfire Night, always check your bonfire before lighting it as hibernating animals such as hedgehogs may sometimes crawl inside them to hibernate.

By following our advice, we hope you can lessen the impact that fireworks can have on your pets and keep them feeling happy, safe and secure. If you find an animal in distress, get in touch with local charities like the PDSA and RSPCA for help, who work tirelessly during this period to respond to calls of animals in distress or have been injured because of fireworks.

Stay safe, keep your pets and other animals safe, and enjoy the fireworks season.