As autumn arrives, it’s a world full of new smells, sights, and sounds for your pet to explore.
But there’s one date many pet parents’ dread: Fireworks Night on 5th November. While it brings community celebrations, it can also bring anxiety – for pets and their owners alike.
Here, we’ve put together our top tips for keeping everyone calm and happy.
But firstly, why do pets react to fireworks?
Fireworks can be a perfect storm for anxiety, bringing together:
- Unpredictable noise: Fireworks are sudden, loud, and irregular, with no pattern for animals to anticipate. Dogs and cats, with far more sensitive hearing than humans, can find the bangs and booms overwhelming.
- Vibrations and smells: It’s not just the sound – fireworks produce low-frequency vibrations and unfamiliar chemical scents that add to the sensory overload.
- Perceived threat: Pets don’t understand the source, so these intense stimuli can trigger a fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones and causing panic behaviours.
- Loss of control: Unlike thunderstorms, which often have build-up cues like wind or rain, fireworks happen suddenly and close to home, making pets feel trapped and vulnerable.
How do I know my pet is struggling? What are the signs?
Both dogs and cats can react to fireworks. Dogs often vocalise their discomfort or show it externally, whereas cats cope quietly. Some signs your pet is stressed include:
- Dogs: pacing, shaking, barking, whining, following you for comfort, or trying to escape.
- Cats: hiding in quiet spaces, freezing, avoiding interaction, tense body language, or changes in eating/litter habits.
How can I help my pet feel safe?
The best approach is preparation, although there are some steps you can take on the day too if your pet reacts unexpectedly.
Before Fireworks Night
- Create a safe space: A cosy, quiet spot with their bed, toys, or something that smells like you.
- Get them used to the sound: Gradually expose pets to recorded firework sounds paired with treats or play (playing firework videos on YouTube, for example), to de-sensitise them to the sounds.
- Calming supplements and meals: Calming food or chews can help many pets feel more confident and in control. At Green Pantry we offer a 100% natural Dog Calming range, featuring a calming supplement powder, and anxiety-supporting complete food – details on these are below.
On the Day
- Dampen the noise: Close windows and curtains, and play calm music or white noise.
- Stay calm and reassuring: Speak softly, act normally, and offer gentle reassurance.
- Distract and engage: Toys, puzzle feeders, or a pre-firework walk (a lot earlier in the day to avoid exposure!) can help burn off stress.
Calming supplements and support: Our Recommended Solutions
- Calming Supplements
For dogs who need extra support, our natural calming supplements are an easy, effective solution. Made with hemp, valerian, ashwagandha, passionflower, and lemon balm, they reduce stress and promote relaxation. Simply sprinkle a small amount over your dog’s meal (suitable for all ages) helping them feel calm and content – on Fireworks Night but also during fireworks, thunderstorms, or travel.
- Meals to Support Calm
We also offer a complete Duck & Turkey with Sweet Potato kibble to support anxious pooches. Packed with lean protein, sweet potato, blueberries, and natural relaxants like valerian and hemp, it provides essential nutrition while supporting a calm, happy dog. Made with 100% natural ingredients – a tasty, healthy way to soothe your pet from the inside out.
Tip: Start using these solutions before Fireworks Night. Initial effects can be seen in 1–2 days, but full benefits often take 3–4 weeks.
