How to keep your pets safe and calm during fireworks
From creating a den to putting trainers in the washing machine, here are the best ways to make Bonfire Night a little less alarming for your pet.
Getty
From creating a den to putting trainers in the washing machine, here are the best ways to make Bonfire Night a little less alarming for your pet.
Bonfire Night may be fun for us, but for many pets it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. In a 2025 Savanta poll for the RSPCA, 60% of dog owners said that their dog had been negatively affected by fireworks.
“Our pets may feel overwhelmed by the whole sensory experience: the bangs, high-pitched whistles, flashes of light, vibrations and unfamiliar smells,” says Zita Wells, owner of Pet Patrol 365, a pet care service. “Our pets don’t know where the next bang is coming from or when the noise will stop.”
A pet that has tolerated fireworks for years can suddenly become frightened, particularly if pain or illness has made them more sensitive to noise, adds dog trainer Joe Nutkins.
The good news is that planning ahead can help.
As Bonfire Night approaches, check your pet’s microchip details are up to date. If you use a tracker, make sure it’s charged and attached on the day.
“Having those extra layers of identification can make all the difference when it comes to being reunited quickly,” says Wells.
Secure doors and windows and keep leads close to hand by dusk, she advises. Once it gets dark, close the curtains or blinds.
If you know your pet is frightened of fireworks, speak to your vet in advance, says the RSPCA. They can discuss ways to help, including medication if appropriate.
The smell of a bonfire, or distant fireworks too faint for you to hear, can trigger memories of previous frightening nights, says Nutkins.
Some dogs might refuse to go into the garden after dark or be too anxious to eat. Pulled-back ears, lip licking, panting, drooling or a tucked tail can all be signs of anxiety, she says.
“Fear isn’t always dramatic,” adds Wells. “An animal that suddenly becomes very still, withdrawn or unusually quiet may be just as frightened as one that’s barking or running around.”
Take your dog out while it’s light as fireworks may start earlier than planned.
Wells remembers two six-month-old retriever puppies whose owner took them outside at 6pm because a neighbour’s display wasn’t due to start for another hour. It began early. Both bolted and one broke through a fence. One was missing for more than 48 hours.
“Exercise dogs during daylight where possible,” says Wells. “As you get closer to the evening, keep them on a lead.”
If fireworks are already under way, replace the evening walk with games or training at home, says Nutkins. If your dog does need to go out, keep it brief: a sudden bang can make a frightened dog back out of their collar or harness or dart away.
Cats that usually roam should be indoors well before fireworks are expected, with doors, windows and cat flaps secured.
“A frightened cat can bolt and become disorientated,” says Wells. “Even a cat that normally stays close to home may behave completely differently when panicked.”
Make sure they have easy access to food, water and a litter tray. Offer toys or treats if they want them, but don’t feel you need to entertain them.
Nutkins advises preparing a few quiet places before fireworks begin. Clear space beneath a bed, leave a cupboard under the stairs accessible or set up a covered crate or bed.
“Dogs will typically find somewhere they instinctively feel safer and it might not be the place we’d expect,” says Nutkins.
The same principle applies to cats. “If they’ve decided the safest place is underneath your bed, let them stay there,” says Wells. “Make sure they aren’t trapped, but if they aren’t, don’t try to lure them out.”
If you have several pets, offer more than one safe space. Animals that normally sleep happily together may want some distance when they’re frightened, Wells adds.
Switching on the TV or radio can make sudden bangs less jarring, says Wells. Classic FM’s annual Pet Classics is designed for fireworks season. “Some owners also swear by reggae and find the steady rhythm works well for their dogs,” she adds.
Other owners find a new use for household appliances. “I’ve heard of people putting trainers inside a pillowcase in the washing machine so there’s an irregular thumping sound mixed in with the normal machine noise,” says Wells.
“The constant background noise can help disguise some of the bangs outside.”
This won’t suit every dog. A particularly noise-sensitive dog may find the extra banging makes things worse, says Nutkins.
A dog that has been frightened may be tired, stressed or unusually alert the next morning, says Nutkins. Allow them to rest inside. If they want to go out, keep the walk calm and peaceful.
Cats may stay hidden after the fireworks have finished. “Give them time,” says Wells. “Just because the fireworks have stopped doesn’t mean the adrenaline and fear disappear immediately.”
Once your pet is padding around, check they’re eating, drinking and going to the toilet as normal. If they bolted, check their paws, nails and body for injuries, says Wells.
Seek veterinary advice if your pet remains unusually lethargic or withdrawn, refuses food or water, has breathing difficulties, is vomiting, has trouble going to the toilet or simply isn’t returning to normal, she adds.
Try not to tell your pet off if they barked all night, hid behind the sofa, damaged something or had an accident indoors, says Wells. “Fear isn’t bad behaviour.”
Notice what helped them cope. It could make the next fireworks night a little easier.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets have very sensitive hearing and those kept outdoors are the most exposed to the bangs. The RSPCA advises to:
Read our other pet articles and see what the experts have to say:
Be the first to know when your dogs and cats can join the Saga family too.
Trusted advice, practical tips, exclusive interviews, puzzles, competitions and more every week. Sign up to our free newsletter.
Our online matching service brings you closer to like-minded people on a site you can trust. Create your free profile today
Some dog gadgets are genuinely useful. Here’s the tech that’s worth the money and why.
