It comes as no surprise that our pets can feel particularly anxious during firework season, with loud noises, unexpected bangs and bright lights causing distress. And while we can’t just make all the scary fireworks in the world go away, what we can do is equip ourselves with calming solutions and offer them a safe place to take refuge.
Ways to support your pet
Preparation is essential for firework season, making it easier for you and your pet to navigate the period calmly. Take your dog for a walk during the day, so you can avoid evening walks when fireworks are more likely to be let off. The same logic can be applied to cats: if they usually stay out until dark, make sure they come in for the evening and stay safely indoors.
Make sure your pet is microchipped. It’s a legal requirement for cats and dogs, but also a great way to find a lost pet much quicker.
In thinking ahead, you may be able to get your pet used to the noise that fireworks make. Consider playing a firework CD or a video to help desensitise them, starting gradually on a very low volume and slowly increasing it over the next few days. It can take time, but anything we can do to help them overcome their firework fear!
Calming solutions
If your pet is generally very scared of fireworks, there are products that can help support them. Look to Adaptil, an option that releases synthetic pheromones that replicate the ones your dog’s mother would release to calm them. Available in several forms, you can choose a collar, a diffuser or a spray. Adaptil products won’t act as a sedative, but simply offer gentle but effective reassurance.
Feliway offers a similar range of pheromone-based products for cats, helping to take the edge off when they are agitated. Choose between a diffuser and a spray, both gentle options that can be used alongside medication since they don’t act as sedatives.
Many pet parents also like Zylkene, a natural supplement containing a milk protein that is clinically proven to have a calming effect on cats and dogs.
Planning ahead
Don’t be surprised if your pet makes a dash for it when the loud noises start, plan ahead and prepare a pet den – a hiding place for them to retreat to that can be introduced a few days or weeks before the fireworks start. This can be anywhere, from a quiet room to under a table, with the items that will help them feel safe, such as a soft blanket, a worn piece of clothing (your smell with give your pet extra comfort) and their favourite toys. A bowl of fresh water is also essential.
Remember to shut your windows and doors, as well as draw the curtains to block out the sound and lights of fireworks. Putting the TV or radio on (classical music is a great option) can help muffle unwelcome bangs.
Don’t punish or shout at your pets if they behave unpredictably during fireworks; this will only add to their anxiety. Comfort them and try to act normally around them – your pet will look to you for reassurance, so your behaviour is also key.
A note on wildlife
Bonfire night can prove fatal for wild animals, particularly for wood mice and hedgehogs. This is a prime period for hibernation, and a pile of leaves is ideal for nesting. Build your bonfire on the day you plan to light it, and give branches a good shake just before, in case small animals are hiding inside.
With up to 75% of the UK rural hedgehog population estimated to have disappeared since 2000, our role in keeping these spiky little mammals safe is crucial. Here’s some great advice from The Woodland Trust on helping them thrive.
We hope these tips help make Bonfire night a little easier for you and your fur family. With patience, preparation and a bit of luck, your pet may forget about those pesky fireworks in a flash.
