Pet Primer

Dogs and cats · Note

Fireworks and Bonfire Night: helping a scared dog or cat

Research summary · sources below · Reviewed October 17, 2026 · 2 min read
Bottom line: About one in five dogs is strongly afraid of fireworks, and the fear tends to grow with age. Plan ahead: settle pets indoors before dark, give them a hiding place, mask the noise, and let them choose whether to hide or come to you. If your pet panics every year, talk to your vet before the season starts.
A dog and a cat resting together

Fireworks season is long: Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire Night in the UK, New Year’s Eve everywhere, and the Fourth of July in the US. For a frightened pet, it can mean weeks of sudden bangs.

How common is the fear?

In a Norwegian survey of more than 5,000 dogs from 17 breeds, owners said about 21% of dogs showed strong or very strong fear of fireworks, and the share rose with age. It varied a lot by breed, from about 8% to 32%. It is a survey of what owners noticed, so treat the numbers as a guide.

Signs your pet is scared

  • Dogs: trembling, panting or drooling, pacing, hiding, whining or barking, clinging to you, a tucked tail, refusing food.
  • Cats: hiding, eating or drinking less, pacing, going to the toilet indoors, over-grooming.

Some of these signs can also mean illness, so check with your vet if you’re unsure.

Before the fireworks

  • Make a safe den in a quiet room: a covered crate or bed for a dog, a box or a high shelf for a cat.
  • Check microchip details are up to date. Frightened pets bolt.
  • Walk dogs in daylight, before fireworks usually start.
  • Bring cats in before dark, with a litter tray, food and water inside.
  • Talk to your vet early if your pet panics every year. Some medicines must be started before the fireworks, and your vet can refer you to a behaviourist.

During the fireworks

  • Close windows, curtains and cat flaps, and turn the lights on to soften the flashes.
  • Play music or the TV to mask the bangs.
  • Let your pet choose. If it wants to hide, let it. If your dog comes to you for comfort, comfort it. Don’t pull a cat out of hiding or hold it.
  • Stay calm and act normally. Your pet reads your mood.
  • Don’t leave a frightened dog home alone, and never tell it off for accidents or fear.

After the season

Go back to your normal routine. If the fear was severe, work on it over the year rather than the week before: a vet or clinical behaviourist can set up gradual sound training, which takes time but can help.

In the UK, Dogs Trust runs a free behaviour support line on 0303 003 6666.

What the evidence says

Around one in five dogs is strongly afraid of fireworks

Moderate evidence

A survey of 5,257 dogs from 17 breeds found about 21% showed strong or very strong fear of fireworks, from about 8% in the least affected breed to 32% in the most. A large study, but it relies on owner reports.

Sources: avsab.org

Fear of fireworks tends to increase as dogs get older

Moderate evidence

In the same survey, older dogs were more likely to be afraid of loud noises.

Sources: avsab.org

Comforting a scared dog makes its fear worse

Not supported evidence

Dogs Trust advises comforting a dog that seeks reassurance and says ignoring it doesn’t help. We haven’t found good evidence that comfort reinforces fear.

Sources: dogstrust.org.uk

Cats are safest kept indoors during fireworks

Early evidence

This is expert welfare guidance from Cats Protection, based on the risk of frightened cats running off, rather than the result of a study.

Sources: cats.org.uk

How this article was made

  • Written by Gilbert Jones, who keeps dogs and is not a vet.
  • Built from 3 sources, linked under each of the 4 graded claims above. Grades follow our method.
  • Not reviewed by a veterinarian. It does not replace a vet who has examined your pet.
  • First published October 17, 2026 · Evidence last checked October 17, 2026.
  • Spotted a mistake or a better study? Email petprimer.care@gmail.com. Corrections are noted on the page.
This note shares experience and research, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, contact a vet. Possible poisoning? See the emergency page.
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