It is Halloween tomorrow, and here in the UK Halloween tends to signal a roughly 2 week period where we get a lot of fireworks. In the UK, we celebrate Bonfire night – also known as Guy Fawkes Night – which traditionally involves, as you can guess, bonfires and over the last few years lots of fireworks. Ironic considering we are celebrating the fact that Guy Fawkes did not succeed in blowing up Parliament. I also believe it is Diwali between these two events, which also means more fireworks. Personally, I feel that once you’ve seen one fireworks show you’ve seen them all because they all end up looking the same, but I also know that fireworks can hold a lot of symbolism for people and are also just a favourite event of the season for many people. But I have also seen awareness rising around what fireworks actually do to the environment, as well as the distress fireworks can cause to people and animals, which has made me even less of a fan of firework displays than I was beforehand.
I have been quite lucky in that most of my companion animals have never been too bothered by fireworks, but I know that I am very lucky in that department as I think most companion animals do not enjoy them. I therefore thought it would be helpful to share with you guys some tips and resources that I have seen people recommending for ways to help make the firework season more bearable for those we love.
Keep them inside
This is the main tip I have seen and whilst it seems like common sense, I always see posts on social media the morning after a fireworks display asking people to look out for a dog or cat that has run away due fear of the noises.
When it comes to dogs, it is best to try and stick to their routine as much as possible, and ensure that they are safe inside before any fireworks start. With cats, it is recommended to have a litter tray on hand to avoid having to let them out during the night and risk them getting spooked by a stray firework. If you keep your rabbits or guinea pigs outside, then move them inside or move them into a sheltered place, such as a clean and dry shed which they cannot escape from.
Create a safe place for them to hide
I have heard that many people will use the kitchen or dining table for their dogs. A colleague I worked with told me that every firework season she would create a blanket fort with her kitchen table where her dog could hide once the fireworks started. You may find that your companion animal will have their own favourite places they go to when they want some space from you or wish to be left alone – possibly a bedroom or a closet – so it could be good to make these areas as cosy and as comforting as possible for them. Leave out some of their favourite treats, with their favourite blankets or toys around them to help keep them relaxed and make them feel safe.
Play some calming music
Here in the UK, there are a number of radio stations that by nature play calming, slow music which are shown to be helpful for people and companion animals in calming them down. These include Smooth FM and Classic FM. There are also some tailored Pet Playlists available on Spotify that can be played in the background to help drown out the noise of the fireworks whilst also being calming to those listening. It may also be possible to play some general ambience music in the background – LoFi music playlists on YouTube or coffee shop ambience noises may also help to block out the noise of the fireworks without being too loud themselves.
Distract your animals
This can be in any way you think best – watch their favourite movie with them, play their favourite game, bring out their favourite toys or favourite treats to chew on. It is also recommended that you yourself remain calm throughout fireworks, so this can be a great way to keep both you and your animals calm. Firework displays tend to only last for a few hours at maximum, so it should be easy to pass the time quickly by having some fun with your animals.
Medication and smells
I am including this purely because I have heard anecdotally that these products are the only things that work for some people who have incredibly anxious dogs. I have not done enough research to really have an opinion on them either way, but if in doubt I would advise you to speak with your vet on the best option for you. Again, I have known people who are fine to use lavender scented essential oils around the house or around their animal’s favourite hiding spots to keep them calm, whilst I have also heard of people who need to practically sedate their animal due to how scared their animal gets during fireworks. At the end of the day, you know your animal and how they react, and will know what works best for them in these situations.
Taylor Talks Vegan 