Preparing your pet for Fireworks and Bonfire Night

Date Posted: 09/30/2025

Preparation is key to help your pets cope with Bonfire Night and fireworks.

As the dark nights draw in, bonfire night will be here faster than you think. Whilst many humans find fireworks exciting, they can be stressful and scary for our pets.

These days bonfire night is rarely one night and often a week long event which makes it hard to prepare.

As bonfire night is approaching we will release a blog on our website of our ‘top tips‘ for helping your pet cope on bonfire night, and making a safe space for your pet on bonfire night, but, with just under 5 weeks to go – there is still time to consider desensitisation, so that your dog or cat learns not to be so worried rather than having to resort to how to manage their fear on the night.

If you have a puppy or kitten, a young age is the perfect time to start desensitisation. Dogs that are safely and gradually exposed to many different experiences, including loud noises, during their essential socialisation period of three to 16 weeks of age, are often able to cope more effectively with loud, frightening sounds like fireworks or loud engine noises. Desensitisation involves playing firework sounds from your radio, TV or computer at home at a very low volume while pairing it with positive experiences like treats or play, keeping sessions short and increasing the volume gradually only when the dog remains calm.

Start weeks in advance (NOW!!) and monitor your pets body language for any signs of stress, stopping or lowering the volume if they show fear.

There is a great resource available free on the dogs trust website called ‘Sounds Scary’ which is a downloadable sound track to pay in the background at home to help to desensitise your pet.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets