15/10/2026
Firework season is fast approaching, and they can be scary for a lot of our fury friends. Some things can make it a little less stressful for them
BEFORE FIREWORK SEASON🎇
Prior to firework season it's advisable to start desensitising your pet to the sounds of fireworks. By gradually introducing them to the sounds at lower levels, over a period of time they start to become more relaxed. we can increase the volume while they are in a relaxed state. Reward relaxed behaviour. Lower the volume if they become anxious.
DURING FIREWORK SEASON🎆
•Plug ins such as Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats can help calm some pets. The product will release a relaxing pheromone. It is less effective when used in rooms already occupied by another plug in or where lots of household sprays are used. An alternative would be a travel spray which you can spray daily on to pets bedding, or for dogs they have an adaptil collar. The pet remedy spray is also a very good alternative to the plug ins.
• Get cats to start spending more time inside on an evening and get dogs used to having their evening walk earlier, shorter and/or no evening walk on the day of the fireworks.
•Ensure the environment is safe, all doors and windows closed, and curtains drawn to reduce noise and flashing lights. Dogs and cats can be unpredictable if scared and may scrabble at doors and try to escape
•Provide background noise from the TV or radio. The music doesn't have to be overly loud, just with a distracting beat. Classic FM have a pet specific radio station.
•Provide favourite and familiar toys, licky mats, stuffed kong toys and chews etc, to keep your pet occupied.
•Do not punish or shout at your pet when they are scared or barking it will only confuse them more
•Stay calm yourself, set a good example to your pet. Act relaxed and behave as normal, don't over analyse your pet. Dogs and cats very quickly pick up on your anxiety or strange behaviour and don't like to be watched
•If your pet likes to hide away, let them. It may be advisable to make a den for pets like this, ie a crate covered with blankets and favourite bedding/toys. Create small, enclosed spaces for them to hide. Do not go and sit with them or try to cuddle them.
•If your pet comes to you for cuddles then you can cuddle them but don't verbally praise them until they relax
•Do not go out and leave your pet alone if they are fearful
•If you have friends with dogs that aren't fearful, invite them round. Seeing a dog totally relaxed may help reassure your pet
•Close fitting body wraps such as medical pet shirts can reassure some pets. They can give some pets the feeling of being hugged so they feel safe
•Ensure your pets microchip details are up to date incase they get a fright and bolt
If you have any questions or need to book an appointment for medication, please contact the surgery on 0141 889 3010
