How to keep your pets safe and calm on Bonfire Night and during fireworks

For many people, fireworks are part of the fun of Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year. For lots of pets they are frightening. Planning ahead makes a real difference, both for pets that are already scared and for young animals that haven't experienced fireworks yet.

Why are pets scared of fireworks?

Fireworks are sudden, loud and bright, and pets can't understand that they aren't in danger. Their senses are also sharper than ours, so they experience fireworks more intensely. The RSPCA notes that fireworks can reach 120 to 175 decibels, and that the noise, flashes and debris can cause fear, stress and even injury.

Signs your pet is frightened

Some pets show only small changes in their normal behaviour, so watch closely. PDSA advises contacting your vet if your pet suddenly becomes fearful of fireworks, as pain or illness could be involved.

How to prepare in the weeks before

• Start sound training early. PDSA explains how to play firework sounds at a very low volume and increase it slowly over several months, pairing the sounds with treats once your pet is completely relaxed. Stop and go back a step at any sign of worry.
• Build a den. Choose a spot your pet already likes, such as behind the sofa, under a table or, for cats, somewhere high up. Cover it with blankets, add bedding and toys, and let your pet use it freely. Never shut them in.
• Check their microchip details so you can be reunited if they escape.
• Find out about nearby displays and make sure your curtains or blinds block light.
• Speak to your vet if your pet is very scared. Medication may help some pets on the night, but it takes time to find the right one.

How to keep dogs calm on the night

• Walk your dog in daylight and get home well before dark.
• Close the curtains, keep the lights on and play music to help mask the bangs.
• Stick to your normal routine and offer a game, puzzle feeder or stuffed toy.
• Comfort your dog if they come to you, but let them hide if they prefer.
• For toilet breaks, wait for a gap in the fireworks, keep your dog on a lead and be quick. PDSA warns that dogs commonly bolt from gardens when startled.

How to keep cats calm on the night

• Bring your cat in well before dark and lock windows and cat flaps. A slightly earlier dinner for a few weeks beforehand can help.
• Put a litter tray near the den, with one tray per cat plus a spare.
• Don't pick up or restrain a frightened cat, and don't shut them in one room. Cats prefer to control how they cope.
• Watch pets around each other, as scared animals can be irritable.

How to protect rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets

Small pets are prey animals, so unfamiliar noises, sights and smells are very stressful for them. PDSA advises:

• Bring outdoor pets indoors if you can, into a cool room so the temperature change isn't too sudden.
• If that isn't possible, move the hutch into a shed or a garage with no car in it.
• If the hutch can't be moved, turn it to face a wall or partly cover it with blankets, keeping good ventilation.
• Add plenty of extra bedding and hiding places with more than one exit.
• Keep bonded pairs and groups together.
• Never set off fireworks or light bonfires near small pets, as smoke can cause breathing problems.

PDSA notes that, unlike for dogs and cats, no calming products have yet been proven to reduce anxiety in small pets.

What not to do

• Don't punish your pet for anything they do while scared. It adds to their fear.
• Don't let your dog out into the garden on their own during fireworks season.
• Don't give your pet any medication your vet hasn't prescribed for them.

When can fireworks legally be set off?

Knowing the rules helps you plan. The law differs across the UK.

• England and Wales: fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except until midnight on Bonfire Night and until 1am on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
• Scotland: the public can only use fireworks between 6pm and 11pm, except until midnight on 5 November and until 1am on New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali. Councils can also set firework control zones.
• Northern Ireland: you need a licence from the Department of Justice to buy, possess or use most fireworks. Some low-hazard fireworks, such as certain indoor fireworks, don't need a licence. Check nidirect for the current rules.

It is illegal to set off fireworks in the street or other public places anywhere in the UK, apart from properly organised displays. If you are planning fireworks, telling your neighbours gives pet owners time to prepare.