23 Oct Remember, Remember… Our Four-Legged Friends!🐾

Practical tips and a few less obvious ideas for keeping pets comfortable during fireworks season

With fireworks displays expected in and around Warfield Park on 31st October, 5th and 6th November, it’s a good time to think about how our pets might react to the celebrations.

While some animals aren’t particularly bothered by fireworks, others find the unexpected bangs, whistles and flashes unsettling. And it’s not just dogs — cats, smaller pets and local wildlife can all be affected.

Most of us have heard the usual advice about closing curtains and turning on the television, but there are a few other things worth trying too.

Make Fireworks Night a Treat Night

If your dog enjoys a good chew or a food puzzle, fireworks night could be the perfect opportunity to bring out their favourites.

Frozen Kongs, lick mats, snuffle mats and puzzle feeders can provide a distraction from what’s happening outside. You could even hide a few treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out.

Sniffing is a natural behaviour for dogs and can help them settle. Just remember that a particularly frightened pet might not be interested in food, and that’s fine too.

For cats, treat puzzles or a favourite interactive toy might be worth trying, provided they’re in the mood to play.

Think Beyond the Television

Putting the television or radio on is a familiar suggestion, but there are other sounds that might help disguise the noise of fireworks.

White noise, a fan, gentle music or even a familiar podcast can provide a consistent background sound.

The trick is to introduce it before the fireworks begin rather than waiting until your pet is already unsettled. Keep the volume comfortable — there’s no need to drown out the fireworks completely.

Some pet owners also find that playing recordings of fireworks at very low volumes over time can help their animals become more accustomed to the sounds. This needs to be done gradually and carefully, ideally with professional guidance, rather than immediately before an event.

Let Them Choose Their Favourite Spot

We might think we’ve created the perfect cosy space for our pets, only to find they’ve decided the best place to spend the evening is behind the sofa!

Animals often have their own ideas about where they feel secure.

If your dog prefers their usual bed, leave it accessible. If your cat likes hiding under the bed or sitting on top of a wardrobe, make sure they can reach those places safely.

A familiar blanket or an item of clothing carrying your scent may also provide some comfort.

There’s no need to encourage pets out of their hiding places unless they’re somewhere unsafe. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply let them be.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

If you usually walk your dog in the evening, consider heading out earlier on nights when fireworks are expected.

Even dogs that are normally confident can be startled by an unexpected bang, so keeping them on a lead is sensible.

It’s also worth checking that collars, identification tags and microchip contact details are up to date.

At home, close windows, draw curtains and make sure doors and cat flaps are secure before fireworks begin.

For smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs, consider whether their accommodation can be moved to a quieter, sheltered location. If they remain outdoors, ensure they have plenty of bedding and somewhere secure to hide, without compromising ventilation.

Reassurance Isn’t a Bad Thing

There’s an old idea that comforting a frightened pet will somehow encourage their fear, but you don’t need to ignore an animal that’s looking for reassurance.

If your dog wants to sit beside you, that’s fine. If your cat prefers to keep its distance, that’s fine too.

Try to keep the evening as normal as possible, follow their lead and avoid forcing them to interact or play.

If your pet becomes extremely distressed by fireworks, it’s worth speaking to your vet ahead of time. There are behavioural approaches and veterinary treatments that can help, particularly for animals with severe noise sensitivities.

Don’t Forget Our Wild Neighbours 🦔

Fireworks season can be unsettling for wildlife too.

Hedgehogs and other small animals sometimes shelter in piles of leaves, logs and garden debris, making bonfire preparations particularly important.

If you’re planning a bonfire, it’s best to build it on the day you intend to light it. If a pile has been standing for a while, move the materials to a new location before lighting rather than relying on a quick visual check.

Keeping gardens free of firework debris afterwards is another small but worthwhile step, helping protect wildlife and pets from potentially harmful remnants.

Every Pet Is Different

There’s no single solution that works for every animal. Some pets will happily spend fireworks night snoozing in front of the television, while others might need a little more preparation, distraction or support.

With displays expected locally on 31st October, 5th and 6th November, now is a useful time to make a few arrangements rather than waiting until the first fireworks go off.

And sometimes the most effective ideas come from other pet owners who’ve been through it themselves.

Have you discovered an unusual trick that helps your pet during fireworks season?

Perhaps you’ve found a particular game, background sound or clever distraction that works for your four-legged friend.

We’d love to hear your suggestions from around the Warfield Park community. Sharing what works for your pet might help another resident find something new to try this year.

Here’s to enjoying the autumn celebrations while looking out for the animals who share our homes, gardens and neighbourhood. 🐾

From everyone at Warfield Park.

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