Pets often feel safer when they have somewhere quiet and predictable to retreat to.

 

A cosy den or safe room helps give them a sense of control: they can choose to hide away until the noise passes.

 

Familiar bedding, toys, and even an item of your clothing can add extra comfort.

Products like plug-in diffusers, sprays, or collars release synthetic versions of the calming scents that mother dogs and cats produce for their young.

 

These pheromones are species-specific - humans can’t smell them - but they can have a powerful, reassuring effect on pets.

Pets are experts at picking up on our emotions. If you act anxious or make a fuss, your pet may feel there really is something to worry about.

 

Staying calm and behaving normally shows them that the noise outside isn’t a threat. It’s fine to reassure them gently, but try to praise calm behaviour rather than rewarding signs of fear.

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Many pets cope better when they’re not left alone.

 

If you can, stay in with your pet during peak firework nights.

 

Just your presence, combined with calm behaviour, can be reassuring.

It’s not just the noise; the sudden flashes can be unsettling too.

 

Keeping curtains closed and lights on inside helps soften the visual impact of fireworks and creates a more settled environment indoors.

This is a training method where pets are slowly exposed to the sound of fireworks at a very low level, then gradually increased over time.

 

By pairing the noise with positive experiences like treats or play, their brain learns that bangs don’t signal danger.

 

It takes consistency and time, but it’s one of the most effective long-term strategies.

These specially designed garments apply gentle, constant pressure around the body, similar to the soothing effect of swaddling a baby.

 

For some pets, this pressure helps lower anxiety by triggering a calming response in the nervous system.

 

They usually work best if pets are used to wearing them in advance, but many animals still find them comforting even when introduced later.

A well-exercised pet is more likely to rest calmly in the evening.

 

For dogs, plan a good walk before fireworks begin (before dusk) so they’re tired and less restless later on.

 

For cats, give them play sessions earlier in the day.

 

Avoid letting pets outside after dark, as sudden bangs may cause them to panic and run off.

If you do let your dog into the garden for toileting, make sure fencing is secure, keep them on a lead, and accompany them.

 

Fireworks can trigger sudden bolting even in usually confident pets.

Supplements containing ingredients like casein (a milk protein), L-theanine (from green tea), or herbal blends work with natural calming pathways in the brain.

 

They don’t sedate pets: instead, they reduce how reactive they are to stress, making it easier for them to cope when fireworks start.

 

Most are best begun a few weeks in advance.

Sudden loud bangs are more startling when they cut through silence.

 

Playing the TV, radio, or calming music helps mask the unpredictable sounds of fireworks and makes the home environment feel more normal.

 

Music with steady rhythms (classical, or even “dog relaxation” playlists) can be particularly effective.

Chewing, licking, and puzzle feeding can be naturally calming behaviours.

 

Offering a long-lasting chew, a stuffed Kong, or a lick mat in their safe space can distract your pet and help release feel-good hormones that lower stress.