Supporting your pet through firework season

Firework season is approaching, and it can be a stressful and frightening time for our pets. Research has suggested that stress and fear can significantly and negatively impact the physical and psychological health of our pets; it can also influence our pets' behaviour, and for this reason, firework season can also be stressful for us too.

Your pet may display erratic behaviour, may find it difficult to learn or may be unable to listen to previously known commands. Try to understand that your pet is not being difficult; they are in a state of fear! Imagine yourself being repeatedly exposed to something you find frightening.

The good news is that our pets do not need to suffer; management and training methods can be used to support them, after all, we all want our pets to be happy!

This article will provide some useful information and tips to help you to help your pet during this stressful time of the year.

Signs of stress in dogs:

Fireworks may be frightening to some animals, so it is important to first be able to identify signs that your pet is stressed or scared; some signs of fear/stress in dogs include:

•      Repeatedly licking their lips or nose

•      Obsessively grooming

•      Unsettled or pacing

•      Vocalising (barking, howling, whining or growling)

•      Yawning

•      Attempting to escape or hide

•      Aggressive or attention-seeking behaviours

•      Panting and drooling

•      Dilated pupils or showing the whites of their eyes

•      Ears back with tail between legs

•      Inappropriate toileting

•      Tense muscles and tightening of facial features

It may be difficult to read signs of fear/stress in some breeds of dog with altered conformation, try to observe your dog and learn to read their individual body language.

Signs of fear in cats:

It is not only dogs that may suffer from fear caused by fireworks, but stress can negatively impact the physical and psychological health of all animals. Cats with underlying health conditions may be at an increased risk of poor physical health; some signs of fear/stress in cats include:

•      Attempting to escape or hide

•      Aggressive behaviour

•      Vocalising (hissing, spitting, growling or purring to self-soothe)

•      Inappropriately toileting

•      Excessive grooming

•      Drooling

•      Flicking their tail

•      Fur raised on the back and tail

•      Wide eyes with dilated pupils

•      Lowered body posture

•      Rapid breathing or increased rate

Panting is a sign of extreme stress in cats!

Signs of fear in small furries:

Small furry pets also suffer from fireworks and are often more likely to be exposed to sounds when living outside. Because they are often prey species, fear/stress can be fatal to them! Some signs of fear/stress in small furries include:

•      Attempting to escape or hide/chewing or clawing at cage bars/walls

•      Aggressive behaviour

•      Vocalising (growling, grunting, shrieking, hissing)

•      Changes to toileting habits

•      Changes in eating habits

•      Grinding of their teeth

•      Immobilisation

•      Shaking/trembling

•      Wide eyes with dilated pupils

•      Attempts to hide

•      Rapid breathing or increased rate

Tips for small furries:

•      Bring small outdoor pets indoors

•      Cover hutches to block sound and flashing lights

•      Provide extra digging materials for burrowing

•      Ensure all resources (food/water/bed) are easily accessible

•      Provide extra hiding places

•      Keep with companions (if suitable)

•      Consider calming supplements (nutraceuticals)

•      Monitor for signs of gut stasis in rabbits (symptoms can be found at the link below):

https://rabbitadvocates.org/gi-stasis

Tips for dogs and cats:

1-     Provide a safe place:

One behavioural response that an animal may demonstrate when they are feeling scared is to hide; you can support your pet by providing them with a safe place. This can be done using the steps below:

• Find a quiet area in your home, preferably away from windows or doors (for example, a soundproof wardrobe, a cupboard under the stairs, a crate or box covered with a thick blanket and the door left open, under the table with a large, thick tablecloth.

• Provide your pet with any necessary resources in that area (food, water, a comfy bed)

• Use pheromone sprays to provide your pet with a sense of security.

• Place a radio/Alexa just outside the safe place to block out sounds or flashes, consider music like pop or rock, which will cancel out the bang sounds of fireworks.

Allow your pet to get used to this area and enter it themselves in the days/weeks before the fireworks so that they know it is there, and it becomes a normal part of their environment. Do not force your pet into or out of their safe place (unless in an emergency!).

2-     Increase Safety:

Another behavioural response that an animal may demonstrate when they are feeling scared is to run away from the frightening trigger (fireworks). It is important as a pet owner to ensure that our pet's safety, some ways to do this include:

•      Ask your veterinary team to scan your pet's microchip to check it is working.

•      Ensure your details are up to date with the microchip company (phone numbers, address, owner's name if your pet has been rehomed).

•      Ensure your pet has an identity tag with up-to-date details on their collar or harness (this is a legal requirement!).

•      If new to the island, ensure your pet is registered with a veterinarian in case of emergency.

•      Ensure doors/gates/windows are secure and locked to prevent your pet from escaping.

•      Walk your dog on a lead/long line in case of any sudden fireworks that could startle them and cause them to run off.

•      Walk dogs during the day and avoid lower light levels when fireworks are more likely to be set off.

•      Call cats indoors early and lock cat flaps to ensure they are safe, as road traffic accidents often increase during firework season, or cats can become trapped in sheds/outbuildings.

3-     Provide comfort and positively reinforce:

If you are lucky enough to have a pet that is comfortable with fireworks, we still recommend creating positive associations in their presence! When your pet hears a firework and is calm, tell them ‘good’ and reward them with a snack, a toy, social interaction or play (depending on what your pet finds rewarding).

For those of you with a pet that does have a fear of fireworks, it is ok to support your pet through this frightening time! You will not increase their chance of developing/worsening fear in association with fireworks by providing them with comfort; you can not reinforce an emotion, you reinforce behaviour. If your pet seeks comfort, provide it, but do not force interactions. If your pet would rather avoid comfort and feels safer hiding, let them.

Try to remain calm and try to manage your own response to the fireworks, our pets are great at reading our body language and may pick up on our stress, causing them to feel stressed too.

4-     Considering calming nutraceuticals and/or pheromones:

There are various over-the-counter calming products on the market which could be used to support a sense of safety and security in your pet during firework season. Because each animal is an individual and no product will suit all animals, Companion Conundrums does not endorse any products. We instead recommend that you discuss the use of these products with your veterinarian before use, who will be able to provide you with advice on suitable nutraceuticals or pheromones for your pet, based on their clinical history. Please be advised that products may present risks of interactions with other medications or present potential contraindications for certain health conditions, which is why you must discuss their use with your veterinarian.

5-     Speak to your vet about situational medications:

Situational medications are short-term and can be used to help your pet through firework season. It can help them to feel more comfortable by reducing fear, managing noise sensitivities and preventing the behaviour from worsening. You can then discuss behavioural support after the New Year.

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), only a veterinarian can prescribe medications. Speak with your veterinarian about situational medications!

6-     Seek behavioural support after the new year:

If you have a pet who becomes stressed or frightened by fireworks (or other noises), we recommend booking a behavioural consultation. At Companion Conundrums, we use kind and ethical training methods and provide you with the skills and knowledge to continue the training at home. The training method is designed to alter your pet's emotional state in the presence of fireworks; they will learn that instead of fireworks being ‘scary’, fireworks bring good things. Please be advised that we do not recommend beginning this type of training with your pet during the firework season; however, we would love to hear from you after the New Year to begin training so that you and your pet are prepared for 2026.

Becka is a clinical animal behaviourist and only works on veterinary referral to ensure that your pet has been examined by a veterinarian who has first ruled out any risks that your pet’s physical health may be impacting their behaviour.