Bonfire Night in Manchester: pet owners urged to start preparing their furry friends for fireworks

As Bonfire Night approaches, pet owners may find themselves more stressed than excited by the prospect.

Vet charity PDSA is urging owners to take preventive action  in a bid to reduce the extreme distress and suffering that fireworks can cause for many of our furry friends.

PDSA’s Animal Wellbeing Report for 2021 shows that 15 per cent of UK dogs obtained during the pandemic are showing signs of fear.

One well recognised fear in dogs is noise phobias, and the charity’s previous research reports that 40% of dogs are afraid of fireworks. Of those dogs owned before the pandemic, research revealed 3% of dogs (260,000) were reported as showing signs of fear. 

PDSA vet nurse Nina Downing says this bonfire season may be a particularly challenging one for new pet owners.

The charity’s top tips on tackling fireworks phobias include:

Start early

The earlier you can start your pre-fireworks prep, the better. Play firework noises quietly throughout the house and pair these with their favourite treat. If they show any signs of stress, stop the noises, and try again at a lower volume when they are not reacting. Continue to do this all year round, so your pet builds up positive associations with these sounds.

Secure your garden 

Secure your home and garden in advance, as fearful furry friends may panic and scarper. Ensure any ‘escape routes’ – such as holes in fences – are inaccessible.

Set up a hideaway 

Create a ‘den’ in a quiet room or cupboard, which your pet can use as a safe space to hide in. It’s important that your pet already views this space as a safe place that they can escape to. Make it extra cosy with blankets and their favourite toys and treats, and add pillows or cushions to help absorb the loud noises – you can also do the same to hutches for smaller four-legged friends, who may also appreciate some extra bedding to hide away in.

Create calm vibes 

Using pheromone products can help anxious pets, as the scents they release provide a calming effect to relax a stressed pooch or puss. You can even prepare a calming playlist, as music with a repetitive beat might help to disguise the loud bangs from fireworks and may keep your furry friend relaxed.

Speak to your vet 

If you’re concerned your pet has a severe phobia of fireworks, it’s best to speak to an expert. Your vet can advise you on measures to improve the phobia, such as professional behaviour therapy or prescribe medications to help.

For more information on how to prepare your pet for Bonfire Night and to download PDSA’s free Firework Guide, visit the organisation’s website.