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Fireworks can be great fun for us, but for many pets the sudden bangs, flashes and vibrations can be frightening.
Some animals may simply become a little unsettled, while others can experience much more severe anxiety. You might notice trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, barking, trying to escape, refusing food or becoming unusually clingy.
The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help.
Start preparing before the fireworks begin
If your pet struggles with fireworks, preparation can make a big difference.
Try not to wait until the first loud bang of the evening before making changes. Ideally, get your pet's environment ready in advance and make sure everyone in the household knows what to do.
If your pet has previously shown significant fear or anxiety around fireworks, it is also worth speaking to your veterinary team before the busiest firework nights.
Create a safe place for your pet
Give your pet somewhere they can retreat to when they feel frightened.
For dogs, this could be:
- A covered crate, if they already enjoy using one
- A quiet corner of the house
- A space behind or underneath furniture
- A cosy bed in an internal room away from windows
Cats will often choose their own hiding place. This might be under a bed, inside a wardrobe, behind furniture or somewhere high up.
Don't force your pet into their safe space and don't pull them out if they decide to hide. The important thing is that they have somewhere they feel secure.
Adding familiar bedding, blankets and favourite toys can help make the area more comfortable.
Close curtains and windows
Before fireworks are likely to start:
- Close windows and external doors
- Close curtains or blinds
- Block cat flaps if necessary
- Reduce visible flashes from outside
- Check that your home and garden are secure
Closing windows and curtains can also help reduce some of the noise.
This is particularly important because frightened pets may try to escape when startled.
Use background noise
Having familiar background noise can help disguise some of the sudden bangs outside.
You could use:
- The television
- Radio
- Calm music
- A fan or other familiar household noise
Keep the volume at a comfortable level rather than trying to drown the fireworks out completely.
Walk dogs before it gets dark
Where possible, exercise your dog earlier in the day while it is still light.
Avoid walking during periods when fireworks are likely to be going off.
If your dog does need to go outside later in the evening, keep them securely on a lead, even if they would normally be trusted off lead.
A dog frightened by an unexpected firework can behave very differently from normal and may suddenly try to run.
Keep cats indoors after dark
If your cat normally goes outside, consider bringing them indoors before fireworks are expected to begin.
Make sure doors, windows and cat flaps are secure and that they have access to:
- Food
- Water
- A litter tray
- Comfortable sleeping areas
- Plenty of places to hide
Never force a frightened cat out of its hiding place. Give them time and allow them to come out when they feel ready.
Check your pet's microchip details
Unfortunately, firework season is a common time for frightened pets to bolt or escape.
Make sure your pet is microchipped where required and, importantly, check that the contact information registered against the microchip is up to date.
It is much easier to reunite a lost pet with their owner if the correct telephone number and address are registered.
Stay calm and behave normally
Pets can often pick up on changes in our behaviour.
Try to remain calm and continue with your normal evening as much as possible.
If your pet comes to you for reassurance, it is absolutely fine to comfort them.
Equally, if they prefer to hide somewhere quiet, let them.
The aim is to give your pet choice rather than forcing interaction.
Never punish a frightened pet
Fear is not bad behaviour.
A frightened dog may bark, pace, whine, pant or have an accident indoors. A cat may hide, vocalise or behave differently from normal.
Punishing them will not make them less frightened and could increase their anxiety.
Stay calm and give them time to recover.
Try distraction, but don't force it
Some pets are happy to play, eat treats or use food toys while fireworks are going off.
Others will be too frightened to be interested.
You could try:
- Favourite toys
- Long-lasting chews
- Food-filled toys
- Lick mats
- Treat games
- Gentle play
If your pet doesn't want to participate, don't force them.
Consider pheromone products
Pheromone diffusers, sprays and collars can help some dogs and cats feel more secure.
These generally work best when introduced before the main fireworks period rather than being used for the first time when your pet is already extremely frightened.
Your veterinary team can help you decide whether a pheromone product may be suitable for your pet.
What about calming supplements?
There are a number of calming supplements and products available for pets.
Some animals may benefit from them, but different products work in different ways and they aren't appropriate for every animal.
If you're unsure what to use, speak to your vet or veterinary nurse rather than simply buying several products and using them together.
Never give your pet human medication unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary surgeon.
Small pets need help too
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets can also find fireworks frightening.
If possible, consider moving outdoor accommodation into a quieter sheltered area such as a secure shed or garage, provided it is safe and well ventilated.
You can also:
- Provide extra bedding so they can burrow
- Give them additional hiding places
- Partially cover accommodation to reduce flashes and noise
- Make sure there is still plenty of ventilation
- Keep bonded companions together
Avoid repeatedly moving or disturbing frightened small animals unnecessarily.
When should you speak to your vet?
Some pets experience much more than mild nervousness.
Speak to your veterinary team if your pet:
- Trembles or pants excessively
- Tries desperately to escape
- Becomes destructive through fear
- Cannot settle for long periods
- Stops eating because of anxiety
- Injures themselves
- Has severe anxiety every fireworks season
- Suddenly develops a fear of fireworks when they have previously been unaffected
Sudden behavioural changes can occasionally be associated with an underlying medical problem, so they shouldn't automatically be assumed to be behavioural.
For pets with significant noise anxiety, a veterinary consultation also allows us to discuss the different options available and create a plan suited to that individual pet.
Depending on your pet and the severity of their anxiety, this may include environmental changes, behavioural strategies and, where clinically appropriate, veterinary treatment.
Think longer term too
If your pet struggles badly every year, don't think of fireworks anxiety as something that can only be managed on Bonfire Night.
Noise desensitisation and behavioural work can sometimes significantly improve a pet's response to fireworks, but this needs to be introduced gradually and ideally started well outside the main fireworks season.
Your veterinary team can help you decide on the most appropriate approach and, where necessary, recommend further behavioural support.
10% off fireworks and anxiety home visit consultations
If your pet struggles with fireworks, we're offering 10% off home visit consultations for pets experiencing fireworks-related fear or anxiety at participating Home Visit Pet Care branches.
The offer is available throughout October 2026 until Friday 6 November 2026.
A home visit can be particularly helpful for anxious pets because we can assess them in their familiar surroundings and discuss their individual behaviour, previous experiences and the options that may help them through fireworks season.
If your pet has struggled with fireworks previously, we recommend speaking to us before the busiest firework nights rather than waiting until they are already extremely distressed.
To book, contact your local Home Visit Pet Care branch and mention our Fireworks Anxiety offer when arranging your appointment.
10% discount applies to the home visit consultation fee where fireworks-related fear or anxiety is the reason for the consultation. Any medication, products, diagnostic tests or additional treatment are charged separately where required. Offer availability may vary by branch.
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