How to Keep Pets Calm During Fireworks

Sometimes, fight or flight can be very literal. When fearful, pets may search for a way to escape the perceived threat. This can lead to cats darting across roads, dogs escaping gardens, and other dangerous situations for your pet.

To keep your pet safe this Bonfire Night, we recommend:

• Walking your dog during the day while it's still light
• Keeping all pets (even free-roaming cats) inside from 4 pm on Bonfire Night
• Ensure all windows and doors are shut to prevent escapes
• Always go out with your dog for bathroom breaks

Keeping your pet inside during peak fireworks hours (4 pm to Late) can help ensure your pet stays safe on Bonfire Night, and also allow you to create a comfortable and calm environment for them. Most fireworks start when it gets dark, but make sure you check the time for any local displays in case they start earlier.

Having your pet indoors allows you to control their environment to help them feel safer. It's also best if someone stays behind to be with pets on Bonfire night, as being left alone can be a stressor all itself, and having someone there can help anxious pets feel more secure.

Fireworks are loud and bright, so keeping your curtains closed can block out or at least muffle the lights and sounds. This can make it much easier to keep your pet calm, as they won't notice the lights, and the noise will sound muffled. 

Keeping your windows closed stops unwanted escapes. This is especially important for cats that like to go in and out through open windows. 

If you want to further muffle the bangs of fireworks, why not try having the TV or the radio on? Playing calming music for pets during fireworks can help them stay calm, and there are even dedicated stations for pets on Bonfire Night, like the Classic FM Pet Fireworks station that plays classical music for pets during fireworks.

Helping your pet feel safe is the key to ensuring they feel calm during the fireworks, and creating a safe, cosy spot to lie down and relax can make all the difference.

Make sure you have somewhere your pet can retreat when stressed, like a crate, bed, cat tree, cat cubby, or even their favourite sofa spot. Add some snuggly blankets, treats, and even your pet's favourite toy to make it feel cosy and safe. Be sure their safe space is close so they can still see or be near you, but out of the way of any windows where noises might be louder.  

Once you have their spot set up, you can send your pet there when they're triggered by fireworks and then reward them for their good behaviour. Using calming sprays, like the Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Spray for cats or ADAPTIL® Anxiety Spray for dogs, can also help give that little extra support.

If your pet doesn't already have a designated safe space, you can create one by keeping it in a room where it spends a lot of time and having the TV or Radio playing to muffle the noise. This is an ideal choice for cats who (more often than) don't like being told what to do, and using a calming diffuser like the FELIWAY Optimum Cat Calming Diffuser can help provide constant reassurance that they're safe.

If you can focus your pet's attention elsewhere during fireworks displays, you can prevent them from reacting to them in the first place.  

Interactive or food toys can be a lifesaver here, especially for food-oriented pets. Filling a KONG® treat toy with your dogs favourite treats can keep them busy, or putting your cat's favourites in a Kitty KONG® can provide an enriching distraction.

Pets also tend to groom themselves as a form of self-soothing, which is why many pets with anxiety tend to overgroom themselves. The repeated action of licking or lapping releases endorphins and serotonin in pets, which is why slow feeders like the LickiMat® Classic Soother™ can be a life saver in challenging situations like Bonfire Night.

Playing with your pet can also provide a great distraction that keeps your pet focused on you and wears them out enough that they settle easier despite the chaos outside. Engaging dogs with tug-of-war or fetching toys like the KONG® Wubba™ Toy for Dogs can be a great choice, and teaser toys like this KONG® Active Swizzle Bird Teaser Toy are perfect for tempting cats.

Long-lasting chews, like these YAKERS® Dog Chews, can be a great distraction, especially for food-oriented dogs. If the chew gets too small, just pop it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds on high, and it will puff up into a whole new treat!

When things are uncertain, our pets look to us for guidance. This is why it's important that someone is home with pets during fireworks. If you can't miss the displays, why not ask a friend or family member to stay and pet-sit while you're gone?

Remaining calm and going about your business as usual can help reassure your pet that they're safe and nothing is wrong. You can do this by turning on the TV when you usually would, playing music, or just being at home with your pet.  

Pets that feel fear when you're away are more likely to suffer separation anxiety as well and seek other methods of comfort, such as chewing things, scratching furniture, or barking excessively to try and alert you. If you plan to go to a display, we recommend calling a family member, friend, or pet sitter to be with your pets.

Integrating calming supplements like the Zylkene® Calming Supplement for Cats and Dogs into your pet's routine before fireworks night can have a calming effect when you're gone.  

If your pet already struggles with anxiety or is already on calming medications, speak to your vet ahead of bonfire night for additional advice on helping them stay calm.