How to have a pet friendly bonfire night

Bonfire night and the festive season can be frightening times for our four-legged friends. So, it is important to make it as pet-friendly as possible to ensure their safety.

Animals such as cats and dogs can freeze with fear as a reaction to fireworks. Fireworks can be particularly hard on animals who perceive the sounds to be a threat as they can trigger a fight or flight response.

There are many ways we can have a pet friendly bonfire night, so we thought we’d share some tips.

Before the fireworks start, the RSPCA recommends creating a safe zone for your pet as a place they can escape from the noise. Adding soft furnishings such as a pet bed and blankets will also make the space feel more welcoming and safe for them.

When the fireworks begin, it may be useful to try the below methods to have a pet friendly bonfire night:

• If you have a dog or a pet that needs regular exercise, let them out during daylight hours. This will help avoid having them outside during the time fireworks are likely to be set off.
• Move your dog to its ‘safe zone’. It is recommended that you shouldn’t interfere with them when they’re in that area.
• Put on some calming music or background TV to mask the firework sounds. We’d recommend our Sleepeezee Spotify playlists to help them drift into a peaceful slumber.
• Close your windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks. Blacking out your safe haven zone means they can’t see any flashes outside.
• Try to ignore the firework noises yourself. See if your pet wants to play, but don’t force them.
• If you have a cat, providing hiding places for them under furniture or a quiet corner and keeping them indoors can help them stay calm.

As well as helping your pets feel safe on firework night, there are also steps you can take to reduce the impact of fireworks on animals.

• Go to an organised event to reduce the number of fireworks disturbing animals.
• Only let fireworks off around celebration dates.
• Never set fireworks off near livestock or habitats where wildlife is known to live.

Have an enjoyable fireworks night and make sure to take care of your pets!