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Fireworks and Pet Stress: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Safe During the Holidays

Fireworks have become a common part of festive events, especially when celebrating the New Year. However, for many pets, this noisy entertainment turns into a huge ordeal – studies show that the sounds of fireworks cause stress for more than half of dogs and cats. Frightened pets begin to behave unusually, panic, and when taken outside, they can unexpectedly escape and run away. Unfortunately, after noisy nights, shelters record an increase of about 20% in the number of lost dogs, some of which fall under the wheels of cars or are otherwise injured. Therefore, during the fireworks season, pet owners need to prepare in advance so that the holidays do not end in stress or misfortune for their pets.

Animal sensitivity to sounds – what makes fireworks so scary?

Dogs and cats hear environmental sounds much better than humans. For comparison, pets’ hearing is 3-4 times more sensitive than humans. They hear a wider range of frequencies – for example, a dog can hear up to ~45 kHz, a cat can hear up to ~80 kHz (a human can hear up to ~23 kHz). In addition, fireworks cause extremely loud noise: the volume of an explosion can reach ~150 dB, while a noise of 90 dB is already harmful to humans, and dogs and cats can lose their hearing even from 85 dB. Therefore, what is a loud bang to us sounds like a deafening explosion to an animal. The sudden, unpredictable sounds of fireworks are associated with great threat to pets and can even cause physical pain if they are exposed to the noise for a longer period of time. It is not surprising that most animals experience fear, severe stress, or even panic when they hear firecracker explosions.

Fear of fireworks manifests itself in various ways. Most often, pets suddenly start to hide, tremble, look for their owner, others start barking or whining, and run around the house. Loud bangs scare dogs, and they may lose self-control: they run away from the source of the sound, or they may get out of their collar or leash. In a state of stress, an animal’s heart beats faster, adrenaline is released, and the level of stress hormones in the blood rises – natural defensive instincts (fight or flight) are triggered. Therefore, even a calm dog may unexpectedly run away upon hearing fireworks, and it is extremely difficult to call a frightened dog back. Dogs with a calmer temperament usually react less strongly – they may simply tremble or cling to their owner – while more sensitive pets often panic and run around: they run back and forth, their tail and ears tucked in, their eyes wide open, they may start chewing on things, and even defecate in the house out of fear. It is important to remember: an animal’s fear reaction is not “bad behavior” or disobedience – it is a normal physiological reaction to stress. Therefore, under no circumstances should you scold or punish your pet if it is afraid.

A frightened pet can get injured by getting distracted or trying to escape – there are cases when running animals break windows, climb fences, and get hit by cars when they find themselves outside. Therefore, owners must take all precautions during the fireworks season and help their pet overcome this stress.

How to reduce your pet's stress during fireworks: practical tips

Fortunately, with proper preparation, you can help your pets survive the festive season much more peacefully. Below are the latest tips from veterinarians, animal behaviorists and trainers on how to protect dogs and cats from the stress of fireworks. It is recommended to plan and implement these measures well in advance of the holidays, without waiting until the last day.

  • Microchip your pet. One of the most important prevention measures is to ensure that a lost animal can be returned to its owner as soon as possible. Veterinary specialists remind you that microchipping your pet and registering it in the State Pet Register will help identify it in the event of an escape. Since 2022, mandatory pet identification has come into effect in Lithuania, so if your dog or cat has not yet been tagged, do not delay. A tagged pet that has run away because of fireworks has a much higher chance of returning home.
  • Plan your walks responsibly. As the fireworks season approaches, avoid walking your dog during times when there are a lot of explosions outside. Veterinarians advise taking longer walks with your dog in the morning or during the day, before the fireworks start, and limiting yourself to a short walk outside in the evening. On New Year’s Eve, never let your pet run around without a leash – even an obedient dog, frightened by an unexpected sound, may instinctively run away. Always use a strong short leash and a secure collar or harness so that your dog cannot escape. If you have the opportunity to go with your pet further out of town during the holidays, where you can’t hear fireworks – take advantage of it. By protecting your pet from unnecessary stress outdoors, you will significantly reduce the risk of it escaping.
  • Keep your pet indoors during fireworks. It is best to leave your pet indoors during fireworks – never take your dog outside to “watch the fireworks” and never let them watch them through a balcony or open window. Pets that live outdoors (in an aviary or yard) should also be allowed to stay indoors during this period, at least on New Year’s Eve. Dogs kept in outdoor aviaries may become very frightened when they hear explosions, try to escape, or get injured while wandering around. Therefore, make sure that all pets are safely locked up indoors on the festive night.
  • Create a calm, safe environment at home. Close all windows and doors to reduce noise and dangerous flashes from outside. Draw curtains or blinds, turn on the lights – this will help soften the flashes of fireworks in the room. Turn on quiet music or the TV to mask the sounds coming from outside as much as possible. Uniform background sounds will give the animal a greater sense of security and will divert attention from the sound of explosions. Also, prepare a cozy hiding place in advance where the pet can hide and feel safe. This can be its favorite bed, cage or even a cardboard box in the quietest room of the house. It is advisable to additionally cover the hiding place with a thick blanket, carpet or cover – this will further isolate the sound and lights. You can put favorite toys, a mat with the owner’s scent inside. Such a “safety zone” will allow the animal to retreat if it feels the need to hide, and will help it survive stress more comfortably.
  • Don’t leave your pet alone and stay calm. The greatest gift your pet can give you during the holidays is your company. If possible, stay home with your pet during fireworks. Being around gives your pet security: your calm tone of voice, touch, and attention can help calm a scared dog or cat. Act as normal as possible, try not to panic yourself – animals sense their owner’s emotions, so your anxiety can be passed on to your pet. You can talk to your pet calmly, gently pet it, or hold it close to you if it wants to. Let your pet behave in a way that makes it comfortable: if it wants to snuggle up to you – accept it, if it tries to hide – provide an opportunity for this and do not prevent it from finding shelter. The most important thing is to be patient and understanding. During this period, your pet needs your calm company, not strict training. Never try to “toughen up” your pet by forcing it to directly confront what it fears (for example, by forcibly taking it outside to exploding firecrackers) – this will only increase the fear. Also, do not punish or scold a frightened animal – such behavior can further traumatize and undermine the pet’s trust in you.
  • Divert your pet’s attention and provide activities. When the sounds start to get louder, try to keep your pet occupied with their favorite activity. Offer them a favorite toy or treat. A great way to calm your dog down is to play sniffing games or calm training exercises that divert their attention elsewhere. You can hide treats around the house, use a special sniffing mat or puzzle toys with food – sniffing is calming and helps reduce stress. A dose of physical activity before the fireworks also helps – if the dog is well-rested the day before the festive night (e.g., played outside for a longer time, trained, or went for a run), they may be calmer in the evening. You can provide cats with a cozy bed in a closet or under the bed and put catnip (if they like it) or a favorite toy – let them have something to do. It is important that the animal has somewhere to release tension and be as busy as possible while the fireworks are thundering outside.
  • After the fireworks – caution does not end. After the festive noise is over, let your pet calm down, give him a drink of water. The next day, when taking your pet out, avoid places where fireworks debris is scattered – a curious dog can grab a firecracker residue and get injured or poisoned by chemicals. Veterinarians warn against letting dogs sniff or bite fireworks packages and debris outdoors to prevent accidents. It is also a good idea to inspect your yard or aviary – whether there are any burnt or broken parts of fireworks, and to check whether your pet has been injured in a panic. If the animal still seems very sluggish the day after the fireworks, is still stressed, or refuses to eat or drink – it is worth consulting a veterinarian.

Peaceful holidays are possible

In short, the noisy holidays don’t have to be a nightmare for your pet. The most important thing is to think through a plan in advance on how you will protect your dog or cat during fireworks. Take care of your pet’s identification, a safe environment at home and your presence nearby. A little prevention and extra attention during this period will help your pet survive the festive period much calmer.

Don’t forget: our holidays only last a few hours, and a pet’s fear is very real and strong. Be understanding owners – the animal certainly cannot appreciate it in words, but its calmer behavior and well-being will be the best reward. By preparing in advance and applying the advice of specialists, you will be able to welcome the New Year much calmer – both you and your four-legged friend. We wish you safe and peaceful holidays!

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