To keep pets calm during fireworks, bring them inside before dark, close windows and curtains, give them a hiding place they already know, and mask the bangs with music or TV. Then let them hide, stay calm yourself and never punish fear. That's the core of the advice from the RSPCA and vet charity PDSA, and it works for cats and rabbits as well as dogs.

Fireworks season is starting. Bonfire Night is November 5 in the UK, and New Year's Eve follows a few weeks later. In a 2025 Savanta poll for the RSPCA, almost two thirds of dog owners said fireworks affected their dog badly. PDSA's 2018 PAW Report found around 40% of cat and dog owners say their pet is afraid of fireworks.

Why fireworks scare pets so much

Their hearing is far sharper than ours. The RSPCA says dogs can hear sounds from four times further away than we can, and a cat's hearing is about three times more sensitive than a human's. Add sudden flashes and bangs with no warning, and a quiet evening turns frightening fast.

Signs your pet is scared of fireworks

PDSA lists these signs.

Dogs: shivering, clinging to you, barking a lot, cowering or hiding, trying to escape, going to the toilet indoors, pacing and panting, refusing food, and destructive chewing.

Cats: cowering or hiding, trying to escape, going outside the litter tray, and refusing food.

Rabbits and guinea pigs: stamping their back feet, trembling, freezing in one spot, faster breathing, hiding, eating less and grinding their teeth.

Weeks before: get ready early

The best time to start is now, not on the night.

  • Sound therapy for dogs. PDSA suggests playing firework sounds at the lowest volume a few months ahead, raising it slowly over several weeks, and stepping back if your dog gets anxious. The RSPCA adds treats after each loud noise. Mid-October is late for a full program, but a few weeks of gentle practice still helps, and you can start properly for next year.
  • Build a den. PDSA suggests a hideaway behind the sofa or in a cupboard, lined with blankets and cushions to muffle noise. Cats often feel safest up high, so try a covered bed on a shelf or wardrobe. Let your pet get used to it before the fireworks start.
  • Pheromone diffusers. The RSPCA suggests a plug-in diffuser for cats, ideally several weeks before.
  • Check ID. Make sure your pet is microchipped and your contact details are current. Blue Cross advises dogs wear a readable ID tag, even in the house.
  • Talk to your vet. If your pet has a real phobia, see your vet early. PDSA says they can rule out pain or other medical causes, and may suggest a behaviorist or licensed anti-anxiety products. Don't give any medication without your vet's advice.

On fireworks night: dogs

The RSPCA's plan is simple:

  • Walk your dog in daylight, well before the fireworks start.
  • Feed them before the noise begins. RSPCA Australia suggests exercise and a meal beforehand to help them settle.
  • Close windows and curtains and black out the den if you can.
  • Put music or the TV on to mask the bangs.
  • Let your dog pace or hide. Don't drag them out.
  • Stay home and stay calm. The AKC suggests a soothing, even voice and slow, firm strokes rather than frantic, high-pitched reassurance.

What not to do: the RSPCA says don't leave your dog alone, tie them up outside, leave them in a car, shout at them, or take them to a display. RSPCA Australia warns a tied-up dog can strangle itself trying to escape.

On fireworks night: cats

  • Bring your cat in before dark and keep them in.
  • Close doors, windows and the cat flap. PDSA reminds you to put a litter tray down.
  • Give them hiding spots, including wardrobes or cupboards, but make sure they can get back out.
  • Don't pick up or hold a scared cat. PDSA says cats prefer to control how they cope.
  • Afterward, offer a favorite treat and keep to the usual routine, as the RSPCA suggests.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets

Small pets get overlooked, and they're just as frightened. The RSPCA and PDSA advise:

  • Bring hutches and cages indoors, ideally into a quiet room. A car-free garage or shed is the next best option.
  • If the hutch must stay outside, turn it to face a wall and partly cover it with blankets, leaving a gap for air.
  • Add extra bedding so they can burrow and hide. Hamsters, rats and mice need tubes or boxes with more than one exit.
  • Keep bonded pairs and groups together.
  • Watch their appetite afterward and call your vet if they stop eating or still seem stressed.

PDSA notes there are no proven calming products for small pets, so a quiet, dark, covered spot matters most.

Horses

Blue Cross advises telling neighbors and display organizers that horses are nearby, keeping your horse in its normal routine, removing hay nets and buckets from the stable and clearing hazards from the field. Don't ride when fireworks might be set off. If your horse reacts badly to noise, speak to your vet or consider moving it for the night.

If your pet runs off during fireworks

Even careful owners have the door moment. Someone comes in, there's a bang, and the dog is gone.

Start searching straight away. Best Friends Animal Society says a frightened pet may find a hiding place and stay there for several days, so check garages, sheds and other hiding spots nearby, and go back late at night or very early in the morning with their favorite food and a flashlight. Call your microchip company, local shelters and vets.

Post a lost report on Paw Alert with a clear photo, so people near you see it on the map. Paw Alert is free on Google Play. If you spot a frightened pet that isn't yours, you can snap a photo and report it instead of chasing it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calm my dog during fireworks?

Walk them in daylight, feed them early, and keep them inside with windows and curtains closed. Give them a den they already know, play music or TV, and let them hide. Stay calm yourself and never punish fear.

Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?

Yes, calmly. The AKC suggests a soothing, even voice and slow, firm strokes, and the RSPCA says to behave as normally as you can. Frantic, high-pitched fussing can make a scared dog more worried.

How do I keep my cat safe during fireworks?

Bring them in before dark, lock the cat flap, close windows and give them high or hidden spots to retreat to, plus a litter tray. Don't pick them up or try to coax them out. Make sure their microchip details are up to date.

When should I start preparing my pet for fireworks?

As early as you can. PDSA suggests starting sound therapy a few months before fireworks season, and the RSPCA recommends plugging in a pheromone diffuser for cats several weeks ahead. Even a few days is enough to set up a den and check microchip details.

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