Fireworks season in the UK now stretches well beyond a single evening, taking in Diwali, Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve, with unofficial displays scattered across the weeks in between. Preparation started early makes a real difference to how well pets cope, so it is worth starting six to eight weeks ahead of the first expected displays rather than waiting until the night itself. Our /fireworks-pet-planner can help you build a personalised countdown for your household.
Sound desensitisation, started early
The single most effective long-term tool is gradual sound desensitisation using a recording of fireworks played at a very low volume during calm, positive activities such as feeding or gentle play. Volume is increased in small steps over several weeks, only moving on once your pet is relaxed at the current level. This only works if started well in advance — it is not something that can be rushed in the final week, and it should be paused and restarted more gently if your pet shows any signs of stress.
Building a safe den
Set up a den in a quiet corner of the house, away from windows, using blankets, cardboard or an existing crate with the door left open so it never feels like confinement. Let your pet explore and get comfortable with the den for several weeks before fireworks season begins, so it already feels like a safe, familiar place rather than something new and stressful. Add worn clothing with your scent on it, and encourage rather than force your pet to use it.
Pheromone diffusers and the home environment
Plug-in pheromone diffusers, designed for dogs or cats depending on the household, can help take the edge off anxiety and work best when plugged in continuously for a few weeks before fireworks season, not switched on for the first time on the night. On the evenings themselves, draw the curtains early, close windows and cat flaps, and put on the television or radio at a normal volume to help mask the bangs.
Walks, routine and cats indoors
Walk dogs earlier in the day, before it gets dark and displays are likely to start, and make sure they have had a chance to toilet before dusk. Keep cats indoors from late afternoon onwards during firework season, with a litter tray available even for cats that normally go outside, and ensure cat flaps are locked so a frightened cat cannot bolt outside into danger.
Check microchip details
Frightened animals can behave completely out of character, and bolting is common during fireworks. Before the season starts, check that microchip details are up to date with your current address and phone number, and that collars and tags are secure and legible — this is one of the simplest things you can do to reunite quickly with a pet who does get loose.
Anxiety medication: always via your vet
If your pet has struggled with fireworks in previous years, speak to your vet well before the season starts, ideally in late summer. There are prescription options that can genuinely help severely anxious pets, but they must be assessed and prescribed by a vet, who can advise on the right choice and dose for your individual pet. Never give human medicines to a pet under any circumstances, and never leave this conversation until the week of a display, since some medications need a trial run beforehand to check how your pet responds.
Small pets, hutches and outdoor housing
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other hutch-dwelling pets are easily startled and can injure themselves thrashing about in a panic. Where possible, move hutches into a garage, shed or utility room for the worst nights, provided there is good ventilation, or otherwise turn the hutch to face a wall, cover it with a thick blanket leaving ventilation gaps, and pile in extra bedding for them to burrow into and muffle sound.
Horses and other equines
Well before the season starts, walk the perimeter of paddocks and check fencing is secure, since a spooked horse can travel a surprising distance in a short time. Keep to a normal routine as far as possible, turn out with a familiar, calm companion if usual, and consider stabling with the radio on for horses that cope better indoors. Let neighbours and any local firework organisers know if you keep horses nearby, as many are happy to adjust timing or direction of displays with notice.
After the display
Once things have quietened down, let your pet come out of their den in their own time rather than coaxing them out. Check gardens for firework debris the next morning before letting pets out, and keep an eye out in the days afterwards for any lingering signs of anxiety, which are worth mentioning to your vet ahead of the next display night.
When to speak to your vet
Speak to your vet promptly if your pet is severely distressed, refuses to eat, is injuring themselves trying to escape, or if anxiety seems to be getting worse year on year rather than improving with preparation. Every plan in this guide is a guide to reduce stress, and your vet's advice always comes first for anything beyond general preparation, especially around medication.