The short answer
If you’re asking what you can give your dog for fireworks anxiety, the honest answer is a plan, not just a product. Give them a safe den, something long to lick or chew, sound to cover the bangs, and you nearby. If the fear is bad, the thing to give them is a vet appointment, booked now rather than on Bonfire Night.
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Why fireworks hit some dogs so hard
You’re not on your own with this. Dogs Trust says almost half of owners report their dog reacts to loud noises with signs of fear and anxiety.
Fireworks are loud, sudden and you can’t predict them. They also don’t stick to one night. In the UK, people can buy fireworks for home use from 15 October to 10 November, so the bangs often start well before 5 November and carry on after it (GOV.UK). By law they can’t be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight. That’s a long evening for a scared dog.
Signs your dog is struggling include trembling, pacing, panting, whining or barking, and hiding.
What to give your dog for fireworks anxiety
A den they can hide in.
Dogs Trust and the RSPCA both say to set up a snug, safe space your dog can get to at all times. A crate with a blanket over it, a corner behind the sofa, or a spot under the stairs all work. Put their bed, a worn jumper of yours and a favourite toy in it. Set it up now, not on the night, so it already feels like a good place.
Something long to lick or chew.
Licking and chewing help a lot of dogs settle. Dogs Trust names lick mats with dog-safe peanut butter as a popular choice. I list the LickiMat Classic Buddy on my recommended kit. Spread it, freeze it the night before and it lasts much longer. Practise with it on quiet nights first, and if your dog is too scared to eat once the bangs start, don’t push it.
Sound to cover the bangs.
Telly, radio or music all help. Dogs Trust has a free Sound Blanket, a set of sounds made with the University of Salford to help mask fireworks noise. You can find it on Spotify and YouTube. Press play before the bangs start, not after.
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Both charities say don’t leave your dog alone on big fireworks nights if you can help it. If you know Bonfire Night (Thursday 5 November this year) or a local display is coming, plan to be in, or have someone your dog knows well with them.
A vet chat, if the fear is real.
If your dog already panics at fireworks, speak to your vet as soon as you can. They can check nothing medical is adding to it, refer you to a behaviourist and talk about medication if it’s right for your dog. Dogs Trust points out many prescribed medicines need giving before the fireworks start, so this isn’t a job for the night itself. The RSPCA also says to ask your vet about pheromone diffusers. Only give your dog medicine your vet has prescribed for them.
If you want to look at calming products before that chat, The PharmPet Co is a UK registered vet pharmacy with a dog behaviour and calming section. Run anything past your vet first.
Your fireworks night routine
- Walk in daylight. Once the clocks go back in autumn, it gets dark a lot earlier. Get the main walk done while it’s light and have your dog home before dark.
- Feed earlier. Dogs Trust suggests an earlier tea so your dog has time to eat and go to the toilet before dark.
- Lead on in the garden. If your dog’s a flight risk, take them out on a lead, even in a secure garden (RSPCA Sussex West).
- Close up the house. Shut windows and curtains, put the lights on and turn the sound up a bit.
- Check the escape routes. Doors, gates, fences. Make sure their microchip details are up to date and they’re wearing a collar with an ID tag.
- Find out what’s coming. Look up local displays and check neighbourhood groups. Dogs Trust also suggests asking your neighbours if they’re planning garden fireworks.
What not to do during fireworks
- Don’t tell your dog off. If they bark, have an accident or chew something because they’re scared, telling them off makes them more scared.
- Don’t drag them out of hiding. If they want to hide, let them. That’s them keeping themselves safe.
- Don’t ignore them if they come to you. Dogs Trust says if your dog wants comfort, give it calmly. Ignoring them won’t help.
- Don’t take them to a display. The RSPCA says even if a dog seems fine, it doesn’t mean they’re happy there.
- Don’t force a walk after dark on a fireworks night.
Try to stay calm yourself. Dogs pick up on how you’re feeling, so the more normal you act, the better.
Fixing it for next year
You can’t train fireworks fear away in the fortnight before Bonfire Night. What you can do is start sound training once the season’s over. Blue Cross suggests starting around four to six months before Bonfire Night. Play firework sounds so quietly your dog barely notices, pair them with a chew, and turn the volume up a little only when they’re totally relaxed. If they stop eating, go back a step. Dogs Trust’s Sounds Scary pack is built for exactly this.
Got a puppy? Dogs Trust’s research says getting puppies used to loud sounds works best young, especially at 13 weeks and under.
FAQ
Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?
Yes, if they come to you for it. Dogs Trust says calmly comforting a dog who wants it is fine and ignoring them won’t help. If they’d rather hide, let them.
Can I walk my dog on Bonfire Night?
Yes, in daylight. Get the walk done early and be home before dark. Never force a scared dog outside once fireworks have started.
Is my dog’s fireworks fear a training problem?
It can get better with slow sound training and the right support, and your vet can refer you to a behaviourist. Start with your vet, especially if the fear is getting worse each year.
The Dog Geezer
Want a hand with a nervous dog?
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Cheers, James