A little planning before 5 November can turn a frightening night into a manageable one for your dog, cat or small pet.
To us, fireworks are a bit of sparkle. To a pet, they are sudden bangs, flashes and smells with no warning and no explanation. Pets hear far more than we do, so a rocket that sounds loud to you can feel overwhelming to them. And in the UK the noise rarely stops at Bonfire Night: displays often run for a week either side, then return for Diwali and New Year's Eve.
Signs your pet is stressed
Knowing the signs helps you step in early, before fear builds. Look out for:
Trembling, shaking or panting when they haven't been active
Pacing, restlessness or not settling
Hiding under furniture, behind the sofa or in cupboards
Barking, whining, howling or yowling
Clinging to you, or trying to escape the house
Refusing food, or toilet accidents indoors
In cats: flattened ears, wide eyes and a low, crouched body
Before the night
The best preparation starts a few days ahead.
Build a safe den. Pick a quiet corner away from windows. Add a covered bed, a blanket that smells of home and a favourite toy. Covered and tunnel-style beds work well because pets naturally feel safer when tucked away. Let them get used to it now, not on the night.
Check their ID. Make sure your pet's microchip details are up to date, and that your dog's collar tag shows your current contact details. Frightened pets can bolt through the smallest gap.
Plan walks for daylight. Walk dogs earlier in the afternoon, before it gets dark and the displays begin.
Feed a little earlier. A calm evening meal before the noise starts can help them settle.
Talk to your vet if fear is severe. If your pet has struggled badly in past years, book in now. Your vet can advise on calming options, and some need starting weeks in advance.
On the night
Your aim is to make home feel calm, quiet and ordinary.
Keep pets indoors. Bring cats in before dusk and keep the cat flap locked. Shut doors and windows securely.
Close the curtains. This muffles noise and hides the flashes. A heavy or thermal curtain over a door helps block draughts and sound too.
Add gentle background noise. Put the TV or radio on at a normal volume to soften the bangs.
Let them hide. If your pet heads for the den or under the bed, let them stay there. Never pull them out.
Comfort them if they come to you. It's fine to stroke and reassure a pet who seeks you out. Stay calm yourself, as pets pick up on our mood.
Never tell them off. Fear isn't bad behaviour. Punishment only makes them more frightened.
Take dogs out on a lead. Even in your own garden, use a lead for toilet breaks in case a sudden bang makes them run.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets
Small pets are easily frightened and can't run far to hide, so they need extra care.
If you can, bring hutches indoors or into a garage or shed.
If they must stay outside, turn the hutch to face a wall or fence and partly cover it with a thick blanket. Leave a gap for air.
Give them extra bedding to burrow into, so they can hide when they want to.
A calmer firework season
Every pet is different, and some will always find fireworks hard. But a cosy hiding spot, a quiet room and a calm owner go a long way.
At Blanket & Paw, we believe a cosy home should be cosy for everyone in it, paws included. Join our newsletter for more seasonal pet tips, home comfort ideas and subscriber-only offers, straight to your inbox.