Bonfire night or ‘Guy Fawkes’ is here! With many Brits celebrating, watching colourful fireworks light up the sky and toasting marshmallows on the fire. But according to the RSPCA, as many as 62% of dogs show signs of distress during fireworks.
To help keep your dogs safe and happy, experts at Bella + Duke have shared their top tips for keeping pets calm amid the bright lights and loud sounds of fireworks. They have also partnered with Dr Brendan Clarke, their Chief Veterinary Advisor, to offer advice to all pup owners.
Vets’ expert advice to keep your dog calm during fireworks
Dr Brendan Clarke, Chief Veterinary Advisor at Bella + Duke, comments on how preparation is the key to keeping pets calm at Bonfire Night: “Helping pets cope on firework night isn’t just about what you do in the moment—it’s about what you’ve done in the weeks and days before. Gradual desensitisation, routine calming strategies, and a well-prepared environment can make all the difference. Preparation is the foundation of your pet being able to cope with these situations.
Make sure you walk them earlier and not when fireworks are likely to be going off. Create a safe space at home; you can even include calming music and provide them with a calming chew to keep them occupied. I’d recommend staying close by, but being aware of your own pet’s needs to know how close they’d like you to be. Ultimately, if your pet needs a little extra help, we’d recommend speaking to your local vet as some medicines can be given to support your pet through the worst of it.”
Expert tips to help a dog that’s scared of fireworks
- Walk before dark – Aim to take your dog for a walk before it gets dark, especially if your dog has an anxious temperament. This way, you are more likely to avoid fireworks being set off and startling them.
Additionally, make sure you let them out in the garden before fireworks begin or when they’ve finished.
- Build a safe space – Ensure your pet has a comfortable, safe space they can retreat to when noises are too loud. A covered bed or crate with the door open is a great option for this. You can also sit next to this space to help create a calm, comfortable presence for your dog.
It is also a good idea to keep your curtains closed. This will stop your dog from seeing flashes of light, which can stress them, and also help to dampen the sound of the fireworks.
- Create a calm environment – Firstly, you can play calming music to drown out the loud noises and give them a long-lasting chew to distract them from the noisy outside world. It is also important for you to remain calm yourself; this will help your dog understand there is nothing to fear.
You can use calming sprays in your pet’s beds and safe spaces to help your dog relax. Lastly, make sure you give your furry friend lots of cuddles to let them know they are supported.
Warning signs your dog is stressed around fireworks
The sudden and repeating loud sounds, bright lights, and vibrations can be scary to dogs. They can hear twice the frequencies that humans do and hear sounds 4 times further away. So, a firework that sounds loud to us is deafening to your dog, so it’s no wonder they find this frightening!
Signs your dog may be anxious and stressed include;
- Turning their head/ body away
- Ears back
- Showing the whites of their eyes
- Panting and drooling
- Not eating
- Hiding
- Whining
- Pacing
Dr Brendan Clarke comments: “Look for subtle signs like yawning, lip licking, or pacing. These are early indicators of stress. Recognising them in the months/weeks before the main event means you can proactively intervene before there are too many explosions in one go that may lead to panic when your vet is unavailable out of hours to provide stress-relieving medication.”