First Fireworks Season with Your Pet? Here’s What to Know

September 21, 2024

Fireworks season can be a magical time of year for us, but for our pets, it often means a lot of stress and anxiety. If you’re new to fireworks season with furry companions, don’t worry – here’s a guide from Rouken Glen Vets’ Veterinary Surgeon Richard Black, to help you and your pets navigate this noisy season with ease.

Understanding pet anxiety during fireworks

Fireworks can be incredibly frightening for pets. The loud bangs, bright flashes, and unfamiliar smells create a sensory overload that many animals find overwhelming. Dogs might bark excessively or hide, while cats could cower in corners or refuse to come out. Rabbits may freeze or become unusually skittish. Richard explains that understanding this is the first step in helping them cope.

Preparing your pets for fireworks

1. Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet, comfortable area where your pet can retreat when the fireworks start. This could be a cosy corner with their favourite bed, blanket, and toys. For rabbits, a snug hideaway or a covered area in their enclosure can provide security. Set this up a few weeks before the fireworks begin and encourage your pet to relax it in with some treats and toys.

2. Use Calming Products: Richard shares that there are various products designed to help soothe pets during stressful times including:

Calming Diffusers: Products like Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs, release pheromones that mimic natural calming signals.
Calming Treats: Treats with ingredients like valerian root or chamomile can help to relax your pet.
Anxiety Wraps and T-shirts: These are snug-fitting garments that gently apply pressure to your pet’s body, helping to calm them down.

Playing calming music or white noise, or having the TV or radio on can drown out the sound of fireworks, which can help your pet too.

Get in touch with our team at Rouken Glen Vets now to discuss which calming aids would work best for your pet. Some products need to be started a few weeks ahead of the fireworks for the greatest effect.

3. Exercise and Distraction: Richard recommends giving your pet plenty of exercise earlier in the day to help reduce their anxiety. Engaging in a long walk with your dog or playtime with your cat can tire them out. Providing interactive toys or puzzles can also help distract them from the fireworks.

What your pet needs during the fireworks

1. Keep Them Indoors: Ensure that your pets are safely indoors during firework displays. Open windows or doors can let in more noise, so close them and draw the curtains to muffle the sounds. Richard advises that bringing rabbit hutches indoors during autumn and winter can help to provide them with the quiet, warmth, and comfort they need to thrive through these harsher months in East Renfrewshire.

2. Stay Calm Yourself: Pets are very perceptive to their owners’ emotions. If you remain calm and reassuring, your pet is more likely to feel secure. Avoid making a fuss over them, as this can sometimes exacerbate their anxiety.

3. Never Leave Pets Alone: It’s important to be with your pets during the fireworks. Your presence provides comfort and reassurance. If you can’t be there, try to arrange for someone to stay with them or use calming products as needed – talk to our team about these now.

Training and long-term solutions

Richard advises that if your pet has severe anxiety about fireworks, talk to our veterinary team at Rouken Glen Vets for long-term strategies. Our vets can advise on desensitisation training, which can help your pet become more accustomed to the sounds of fireworks over time, reducing their anxiety in future seasons. For severe cases, our vets may prescribe medication to help calm your pet.