What to do if your pet has a fear of fireworks

Fireworks fear

As with every year, the fireworks season around October and November can be an extremely stressful time for pets. Whilst we may be enjoying the spectacle of a fireworks display, the flashes and bangs can cause a huge amount of fear and anxiety for a confused pet.

Fireworks night is just around the corner, so now is the ideal time to get yourself ready.

Common signs of stress

Pets can show signs of stress in many different ways, and it is important to keep an eye out for these.

For dogs, this can be seen by excessive barking as well as shaking, panting, and drooling more than usual. They may also try to hide away, behave in a withdrawn manner, or start under-eating.

Some similar behaviours can be seen in stressed cats, with excessive vocalisation, over-grooming, as well as attempting to hide away or refuse food. You may also become aware of your cat urinating outside of their litter box.

Steps to help if your pet is afraid of fireworks

One of the most effective techniques for dealing with an anxious or stressed pet is to create a comfortable safe space for your animal, in which they can hide.

For cats, this should ideally be somewhere up high, where they can have a good view of their surrounding. A dog, on the other hand, would prefer somewhere low to the ground where they can hideaway. If possible, these should be prepared well in advance so that your pet can get used to where they are and learn that they are safe.

Make sure that your pet has enough room to stand and turn around in the safe space, and provide toys, blankets and other items which carry their familiar scent.

On fireworks night, or a night when you know there may be a local display, it is a good idea to walk your dog before it gets dark. Ensure your cat is in before dark, and consider bringing in any pets you have living outside, such as rabbits or guinea pigs.

Once your pets are safely inside be sure to keep all windows, curtains and blinds closed. You may also want to turn on the television or radio to help muffle the sounds from outside. Make sure your pets have free access to their safe space, but it is also important to remain present and calm yourself. It is likely that your pet will want to remain close to you, but it is also best to respect their decision if they would rather hideaway.

Ignore any unusual behaviours, such as shaking and whining, otherwise, you may end up reinforcing the behaviour. Instead provide plenty of distractions with treats, toys and games to help get you through the night.

In some cases, it may be worth seeking help from a professional with a desensitization program. You can see some more information on this over on the Your Dog Advisor website here –  https://yourdogadvisor.com/desensitization-and-counterconditioning/

If you are worried about your pet’s behaviour either before or after bonfire night then please feel free to get in touch.