October 25th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

According to research, around 70% of pet owners will be taking measures to calm their pets during the forthcoming bonfire night ‘season’ (for, the fireworks can last for several days on and around the day itself). This is a testament to just how many pets are reactive to loud bangs and flashing lights. Reactions can vary from being unsettled, shaking, hiding, or even aggression. Not only are these distressing for your dog (and you), but they could also potentially be dangerous, for example, if they managed to escape the garden or run into a door or wall.

There are, however, several methods you can try to mitigate the effects of fireworks. Some you can start putting in place in advance and some can be done during the time when fireworks are going off. We have focused on dogs, as these tend to be affected the most, but many of the principles also apply to cats and other pets.

Strategies you can take in advance of Bonfire Night

There are several things you can do to help prepare your dog. Just like when you were training them as puppies, it can take time to change responses and behaviours so these can really give you a head start if you start early.

• Desensitise your dog to the sound of fireworks
  The aspect of fireworks that seems to create the greatest fear is the loud bangs that they make. The process of desensitisation to these noises needs to start well in advance of Bonfire Night itself but it is time well spent as it will help your dog cope permanently with them. Desensitisation involves playing firework sounds around your dog, starting at a very low volume and then increasing the sound slowly. Once they have successfully become accustomed to the sound, you can start creating an association with something positive, such as food or play. Battersea Dogs’ Home has created a video that explains how to do this in detail.
• Create a safe space
  Designating a specific room or area where your dog can feel safe and calm is a good idea for a whole range of reasons, but it is especially useful for this purpose. It might be a quiet room where you can make a bed and keep certain special toys or it could just be a contained area such as a crate with a blanket over the top or even under a table. Well before Bonfire Night, take your dog into this space and create a positive association, for example, give them a special food treat or play with them. Do this regularly so that they know when they go there, they have a nice time. Keep any toys that you give them in this space separate so that they know when those specific toys come out, it’s calm time.

Items you may want to buy

There are plenty of products you can buy that claim to calm and reassure dogs, but all animals will have a different reaction to them so rather than getting something and just hoping that it will work on the night, try it out a few times beforehand. These items can successfully be incorporated into safe space-time.

• Compression wrap
  Sometimes known as a Thundershirt, a compression wrap is like a coat that wraps around your dog and works in a similar way to swaddling a baby. It is weighted and fits snugly, applying gentle pressure around their body. It can make anxious dogs feel reassured and has been likened to a hug.
• Pheromone diffuser
  These look a little like the plug-in air fresheners and gradually release a synthetic pheromone that mimics that emitted by mothers nursing their litters. It has no scent or effect on humans.

On the night

Even with all the measures outlined above, if your dog is reactive to fireworks, you will most likely need a few tricks up your sleeve for the duration of any fireworks going off. Here are some things you can do on the night.

• Keep curtains closed but internal doors open
  Closing the curtains will help muffle the sound a little and block the sight of fireworks. Keep lighting low in the room to help promote a calm environment. However, do keep internal doors open as your dog may become frightened if they can’t get out.
• Get a head start
  If you have bought a compression wrap or pheromone diffuser, put them on while it’s still light before the fireworks start. It may be too late to really settle them if you wait until they’re already distressed.
• Play calming music
  There is a lot of evidence that suggests certain classical music has a calming effect on dogs. Many radio stations and streaming services have some playlists available at this time of year. Keep the sound level reasonably loud to try to mask some of the noises of fireworks. A good tip is to play the same type of music regularly in the run-up to Bonfire Night, otherwise, they may associate it with the sound of fireworks
• Take them to the safe space
  If you have created a safe space for your dog, encourage them to go there and stay there with them. Don’t show any reaction to the fireworks yourself. Pet them if they want it but don’t crowd them if they want space.