AD |I love Autumn and everything about it. Including bonfire night and fireworks. It’s always been one of my favourite times of year. To me, it signifies a time to get together with family or friends, let go of the year so far and just have fun, whilst watching the magic that fireworks bring to the sky. Of course, for pets, this isn’t the case. So, we’re going to look at how to support pets during firework night.
I’m actually VERY lucky in that my late dog Rory had absolutely no reaction to fireworks whatsoever. He was completely un-phased. In fact, the first year we got him, he came outside to watch the fireworks with us! Which I know is not the norm and far from the experience most people have with their pets when it comes to firework night.
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One year, we had to look after my aunt’s old dog for a week whilst my aunt and uncle were on holiday. During that week, we had a DREADFUL storm. Some of the worst thunder and lightning I’ve ever heard myself and this dog was absolutely terrified. I’ve never seen a dog so scared of something in my life.
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She was shaking uncontrollably. Wouldn’t let me near her. And would crawl into the smallest spaces around our house that she could find to try and get away from the noise which obviously wasn’t safe for her to do so. So, although in that situation, it wasn’t fireworks that were the problem but it’s an example of how sudden change can have such a dramatic impact on pets.
So today we’re going to look at some ways of how to support pets during firework night, which might be a very traumatic time of year for them:
Don’t walk your dog when fireworks are likely to go off
Bit of an obvious one to start with but still worth mentioning, nonetheless. During firework season, if possible, try and take your dog for a walk during a calm time of the day – like fairly early in the morning. If you have other pets that require outdoor time, make sure it’s early and they’re inside before 5pm.
Support pets during firework night by considering natural remedies
A natural calming spray for dogs might be a great addition to the care your give your four-legged friend during this stressful time. Broadreach Nature provide plenty of products to aid your dog (or cat!) in relaxation including sprays, soft chews and capsules. Each product is a special blend of fragrance extracts to simulate canine pheromones and help provide a feeling of reassurance.
Create a safe haven for them at home
Just like us humans need a safe environment to go to when we’re stressed or sad, pets can benefit from that too. So, create a little corner of the house filled with cosy blankets, their favourite toys, a spritz of the relaxing room spray and a few treats so they know this space is filled with their favourite things. You might want to also create the perfect sleeping spot for your dog, too.
Keep the TV or a radio on to help mask the sound of the fireworks
You’re never going to drown out the sound of fireworks entirely. In case you haven’t heard a firework before – THEY’RE LOUD. But having additional noise on will at least help mask the sound. The TV and the radio are good options because they’re noises that your pet is already familiar with.
How to support pets during firework night continued:
Keep your blinds and curtains closed
The noise from fireworks isn’t the only thing that will alarm your pet. The bright lights can also be daunting too. So, a simple solution for this is the keep your blinds and curtains closed – preferably before the fireworks begin. For something extra, you might want to invest in blackout blinds too.
Allow your pet free reign of the house
For safety reasons, you won’t want to lock your pet in one room as they might hurt themselves trying to get out and it’s only going to make them more anxious and agitated. So, try to allow them as much of the house as possible but make sure the front and back doors are securely locked. The last thing you want is a scared pet bolting and putting themselves in danger.
Don’t react to fireworks yourself
Our pets are sensitive to our own reactions and feelings. I know with my own dog that if I jumped at something, he was likely to bark too. So, during firework season, try and ensure your pet doesn’t see you reacting to the fireworks. Of course, this won’t work with all animals but it’s always worth a try.
Get help from your vet if it progresses
And finally, if it’s REALLY bad and you’ve done everything in your power to try and calm your pet during firework season and nothing is working take them straight to the vet. It won’t be anything your vet hasn’t seen before, and they may be able to prescribe something to take the edge off.
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I’ve been pretty lucky with my Golden so far! She’s not really interested in fireworks but my brother has had some issues with his boxers. I believe the idea of keeping the TV on and blinds closed is good! Helps keep their attention off what’s going on.
That’s great to hear about your dog! Mine is the same, absolutely unphased.
These are some great tips! We had two dogs when I was growing up and we always used to have all the lights on and the TV or radio turned up because one of the dogs was absolutely terrified. My fiance and I have two indoor cats now and luckily they’re pretty good with fireworks. One actually likes to sit in the window and watch them!
Awh bless! That’s so cute.
These are all great ideas that we’ll definitely need to try this year! Bear hates fireworks and had no idea what was happening last year so I’m dreading it a little! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Awh bless him! Hope these tips help x
This is so helpful. People can be so careless with fireworks. I’m grateful Charlie doesn’t get bothered by them.
That’s lucky!
I badly need this! I’ve got 7 dogs. Thanks for this!
Jil Diamante
https://www.letsjiloutdoor.com/
7?! Wow! What breeds?
These are some great tips. We always put the radio on at this time of year to distract and calm our dog.
That’s such an easy but effective thing to do x
The fireworks have already started here and my cats are going mad. Luckily they are never out at night when the fireworks are most likely, and both tend to have a safe hiding spot in the house where they can curl up and feel protected. Other than that I use Felineway to calm them as best as I can. It can be so hard because there’s no way of making them feel reassured other than lots of cuddles and hiding places.
It’s such a shame isn’t it. Can’t believe people are ALREADY being so stupid with fireworks.
I don’t have a pet unfortunately! My friends pets don’t like fireworks on the whole x
These are so helpful! I hate fireworks unless at a controlled display xx
Thank you!
We’ve heard fireworks already – ridiculous! Our dog (when we were kids), was terrified of thunder as she had been caught in a fire with her puppies, all of whom died. She then came to live with us and we’d lie under the table or behind the sofa with her, if there was ever a storm x
So have we tbh! It’s totally stupid. That’s so sad!
I don’t have a pet but I do remember looking after a dog once and he was terrified of the fireworks! So I made him a little dog den and he loved it and I sat in there with him and it was great xx
Awh that’s so cute! They’re really helpful 🙂
Really good advice – our Ted tries to fight the fireworks, so this year we’re going to try turning the TV up loud and having family cuddle time in the lounge. Fingers crossed!
George
Hahahaha! Oh dear. Fingers crossed for you!
Keeping the TV or radio on to help mask the sound is a great idea! I don’t have any pets myself but I imagine it must be super stressful and worrying to have a pet who’s scared of fireworks at this time of year. Great tips 🙂
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Yeah I agree. I’m so lucky that my dog isn’t bothered but I know so many who are.
Our dog is terrified of storms…she sleeps right next to our bed if there is any storm activity at all. She is not crazy about fireworks either! We keep her indoors as she does not like the noise. Very good tips!
Ah that’s a shame. Thank you!
Great post! Have forwarded to my friend as her dogs hate fireworks. It wouldn’t be so bad if people did it on one night only but sometimes it can happen for weeks! I’m lucky my cats aren’t bothered.
Right! They go on for far too long!
One thing I hate about Bonfire Night is how badly it affects pets, it makes me so sad when I think of a dog or cat being scared of fireworks and the noises they bring. With my cats in the past, we’ve shut the curtains early and turned up the TV so they didn’t hear the noises too much, they used to always curl up on my lap when they were scared! My Aunty’s dog (a golden retriever) used to love fireworks! She used to go crazy and jump towards the sky like she was trying to catch them! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Oh my god how cute! My dog just isn’t phased at all. Like a firework could go off right in front of him and he’d be like “meh”.
Great Tips Jenny… <3 <3 🙂 Nice pic of DOG … Is it yours??
Not mine – just a stock image!
This post is so important at this time of year! I don’t have a dog but I’m quite lucky my pet rabbit isn’t that fazed from fireworks xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Wow really? I’d have imagined rabbits would be terrified tbh so that’s really lucky!
Masking the sound is such a great idea, I usually do that for the neighbour’s dogs I dogsit. Lovely tips!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you 🙂
Hugo gets so so so scared of fireworks, the first time he heard one he jumped into my arms mid-walk. He shakes every time I try to walk him in the dark until mid-December, then New Year happens and the cycle repeats itself. We always try to leave the TV on loud and sit close so he can tuck in for a little cuddle when he starts to get scared but it breaks my heart every year. I was hoping covid would mean there would be less of it this year but people have started letting them off near me already x
Oh my god I’m so sad for you and Hugo. It’s so heartbreaking. Yeah I thought people would have dialled it down a bit this year but apparently not.
I don’t have a pet. I don’t know how they react to fireworks. Btw, it’s good to learn something new. Thank you for sharing.
Some of them are extremely scared of them.
A very helpful post. My cat is fine with fireworks, but I have a lot of friends whos fur babies hate it! I’ll be suggesting this post to them!
That’s good though!
Love that you wrote about this! My dog would always be so incredibly scared, so I would always pull her on the couch with me to watch TV together whilst cuddling her.
Awh bless her!
This is great advice. I love how pretty fireworks are but I am not a huge fan of them.
I think they should only be used at organised events, although I guess those won’t happen so much this year so private ones will be the only way we will get to see any.
My cat is daft, I don’t think he even notices them. He insists on being outdoors all the time! Rain or shine!
I agree. I love fireworks but people are so irresponsible that I think they should only be at organized events too for safety.
Such an important thing to consider having pets at this time of year. Luckily my dog doesn’t get stressed out by them, he seems to get excited! Such a weird dog! 😂 😂
Awh that’s so cute though!
What a thoughtful post! I’m glad you’ve given such tips. My area doesn’t get fireworks but my dogs are TERRIFIED of thunder, they start barking hysterically and hide under tables. Loud noises really aren’t great for timid animals!
Ahh that’s so sad. Suppose these things can definitely apply for storms and things too!
Super useful Tips! and Your dog is super cute!
Thanks for sharing
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Not my dog! Just a stock image. He is cute though 🙂
Great tips! My cats don’t mind them, they watch out the window but I think dogs are different! xx
Yeah I can imagine cats are less scared in general.
I actually forgot that this will be coming soon and I know that fireworks night and this season can be really distressing for pets. This post is really helpful for pet owners and for anyone who plans to have fireworks in their gardens!
Rosie
Thank you 🙂