How to calm nervous pets through fireworks and bonfire season is a question plenty of pet parents start asking the moment the first rocket whizzes over their rooftops every October!
Halloween lands on a Saturday this year and Bonfire Night on a Thursday, so expect displays on the weekends in between, plus Diwali and the odd stray bang right up to New Year. That’s a long stretch for a jumpy pooch, a skittish kitty or a timid bunny!
The good news is that a little planning goes a long way, and this guide has tips for dogs, cats and small furries alike.
Why fireworks season is so tough on nervous pets
Bangs, flashes and smoky smells
Your pet’s hearing is far sharper than yours, so a firework that makes you flinch sounds like a thunderclap to them. Add sudden flashes at the window, and the smoky whiff of bonfires, and that’s a lot of scary surprises in one evening!
A season that lasts for weeks
Fireworks don’t stick to the big nights any more. They pop off midweek and at weekend parties, and one bad fright can make the next bang even harder to handle.
How to calm nervous pets before the season starts
Start with a few quick jobs: update your pet’s microchip details, check their ID tag and keep an eye out for local display dates.
Start sound training early
Play a fireworks recording very quietly while offering your pet their favourite treats. Save the tastiest snacks just for these sessions, then nudge the volume up bit by bit over the following weeks. If your pet looks worried, turn it down and go slower.
How to calm nervous pets with a cosy den
Set up a snug hideaway now, so it’s a familiar, happy place by Halloween.
- Dogs love a covered crate with the door left open
- Cats feel safest up high, so try a blanket-lined box on a shelf
- Add a worn jumper that smells like you
- Never shut your pet in; let them choose their spot
- How to calm nervous pets: dogs, cats and small furries
Every pet shows their nerves differently, so here’s what to watch for and how to help.
How to calm nervous pets: dogs, cats and small furries
Nervous dogs
Look out for panting, pacing, trembling, lip licking, a tucked tail or trying to escape.
Walk your pooch in daylight and keep them on the lead, even if they’re usually cool as a cucumber. Check fences and gates, serve dinner a little earlier and have a long-lasting chew ready. Save the last toilet trip for after the fireworks stop; in the UK, that’s usually 11pm, or midnight on Bonfire Night.
Nervous cats
Cats are masters of disguise, so watch for hiding, flattened ears, big round pupils or going off their food.
Bring your kitty in before dusk, lock the cat flap and pop a litter tray indoors. Resist the urge to pick them up or pull them out of hiding; a frightened cat is best left to settle, even if that takes until morning.
Our guide to keeping cats calm at Halloween offers some extra help!
Nervous rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets
Small pets can be terrified without making a sound, so watch for freezing, thumping or hiding.
Move outdoor hutches into a quiet room or shed, avoiding garages where cars are started. If the hutch has to stay outside, turn it to face a wall and cover it with thick blankets, leaving a gap for air. Add extra hay for burrowing, and keep bonded pairs together.
Keeping things calm on the loudest nights
When the sky starts fizzing, your job is to make indoors feel as cosy and normal as possible.
Curtains closed, lamps on, sound up
Draw the curtains to muffle the bangs and hide the flashes, and keep a few soft lamps on so bursts of light outside are less startling. Then pop on the TV, the radio or a calming pet playlist to drown out the booms.
Stay calm and offer cuddles if they want them
Pets are brilliant at reading our moods, so keep things relaxed and normal. It’s perfectly fine to comfort a frightened pet, despite the old myth that it makes their fear worse. If they want a cuddle, give them one! If they’d rather hide, let them, and never tell them off for being scared.
After the fireworks and when to call the vet
Once the last rocket fizzles out, your pet might need a little time to shake off the evening.
How to calm nervous pets when the bangs are over
Check the garden for firework debris before letting your dog out, then slip straight back into the usual routine of walks, meals and playtime. Give cats extra space, and keep an eye on appetite and toilet habits for a day or two.
When nervousness needs a vet’s help
Speak to your vet if your pet panics, hurts themselves trying to escape, won’t eat for more than a day or so, or seems more frightened each year. They can talk you through the options, ideally well before next fireworks season.
Help nervous pets stay calm all season with VETIQ Serene Calming
A cosy den, a calm routine and plenty of cuddles will do most of the work. For a little extra help, our Serene Calming range has the build-up and the big nights covered.
Our fireworks season calming range contains:
- Serene Calming Supplement Chews: Start these tasty chews in the build-up and give them daily through the season. They’re packed with L-Tryptophan, chamomile and lemon balm, with a roasted meat flavour pups love and no drowsiness.
- Serene Calming Ointment: Perfect for sudden bangs on the night! Apply it to your dog’s nose, where it releases a calming pheromone that gets to work within 20 minutes.
- Serene Calming Portable Diffuser: This plug-free, battery-free diffuser releases a calming pheromone into the air to help your cat relax naturally, without the sedative effect. It covers 65m² and lasts 30 days, so pop it in your cat’s favourite hiding room by mid-October and swap in a refill as the season rolls on!
- Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Small Animals: These crunchy, cream-filled bites use chamomile, lemon balm and ginger oil to help bunnies and guinea pigs stay relaxed, at only 4½ calories per bite.
And if it’s needed, we offer even more support from the Serene Calming range:
Serene Calming Tablets use natural ingredients to help nervous cats and dogs stay calm without a sedative effect, while Serene Calming Drops are an easy daily helper that won’t leave them sleepy.
So with a snug den, a steady routine and a helping paw from Serene Calming, your nervous pooch or kitty can sail through fireworks season with fewer frights and plenty more cuddles!
How to calm nervous pets during fireworks season FAQs
Q: How can I tell if my pet is nervous about fireworks?
A: We look out for panting, pacing, trembling, hiding, flattened ears and going off food. Rabbits and guinea pigs often freeze or thump their back feet instead of making a sound.
Q: When should I start preparing my pet for fireworks season?
A: We recommend starting a few weeks before Halloween. That gives you time for gentle sound training and for setting up a cosy den your pet already trusts.
Q: Is it okay to comfort my pet during fireworks?
A: Absolutely! We suggest offering cuddles if your pet comes to you, keeping your own manner calm, and letting them hide if they’d prefer.
Q: Should I walk my dog on Bonfire Night?
A: We recommend walking your dog in daylight and keeping them on the lead, even if they’re usually relaxed. Save the last toilet trip for after the fireworks have stopped.
Q: How do I keep outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs calm during fireworks?
A: We suggest moving the hutch into a quiet room or shed, avoiding garages where cars are started. If it has to stay outside, turn it to face a wall and cover it with thick blankets, leaving a gap for air.
Q: When should I speak to my vet about my pet’s fear of fireworks?
A: We’d call your vet if your pet panics, hurts themselves trying to escape, or won’t eat for more than a day or so. It’s also worth a chat if their fear seems to get worse each year.
Q: Will Serene Calming Supplement Chews make my dog drowsy?
A: No, we love that they support calm behaviour without sedation. They’re made with L-Tryptophan, chamomile and lemon balm in a roasted meat flavour dogs love.
Q: How quickly does Serene Calming Ointment work?
A: We reach for it when sudden bangs catch us off guard, as it gets to work within 20 minutes. Simply apply it to your dog’s nose, where it releases a calming pheromone.
Q: How long does the Serene Calming Diffuser for cats last?
A: Each insert covers 65m² and lasts 30 days, so we suggest setting it up by mid-October. Replace it after 30 days, even if there’s still liquid left, as it stops working after that.
Q: Are there calming treats for small pets?
A: Yes! We recommend Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Small Animals, which uses chamomile, lemon balm and ginger oil to help bunnies and guinea pigs relax, at only 4½ calories per bite!
