Tips for keeping your dog calm on bonfire night
Bonfire Night & Dogs
Bonfire night is one of the most celebrated days on the calendar, with people gathering together to commemorate the failure of the gunpowder plot in 1605. Every year friends and family get together to light a fire, eat toasted marshmallows and, of course, set off fireworks. Fireworks provide an excellent spectacle and will get people ooo-ing and aah-ing left right and centre, however, they can provide great distress to the four-legged friends in the family.
Dogs especially can be incredibly frightened on bonfire night, and great discomfort and panic can be caused by even the smallest of fireworks. Dog owners all over the United Kingdom will be hoping no one remembers the 5th of November, despite the rhyme. In this article, we will debunk some of the most commonly found tips about keeping your dogs calm during bonfire night, as well as providing some answers that can hopefully help keep your pooch chilled this November.
Why are dogs frightened of fireworks?
Saying that all dogs are scared of fireworks is a generalised statement. In fact, some dogs will simply sleep through bonfire night as if it was any other night no matter how many fireworks are going off all around them. Despite this, dogs that are more affected by firework anxiety will often be very distressed and will be almost inconsolable. There are many different reasons why a dog might be frightened of fireworks. The most common reason why a dog might be scared of fireworks is that they view the loud bang as a threat. This may cause them to panic and try to flee from the source of the sound.
Other signs of anxiety a dog might show are quivering, panting, pacing, or whining. Dogs can be scared of fireworks for other reasons. Stray dogs who have been out on the streets during bonfire night may be scared of fireworks when indoors as they previously experienced it during their time outside.
How can I help my dog if it is afraid of fireworks?
You can often feel powerless to help your dogs during their time of stress on bonfire night. Depending on your dog's reactions, they can often become inconsolable, meaning anything you do is not good enough to help.
PocketVet vet Dr Rachel Louise Keane (BVSc BSc MRCVS) believes that the best way to help your dogs is to prepare them for the nights ahead.
"The key thing to try and reduce firework anxiety in dogs is to “be prepared”. There are various methods of trying to achieve this, but many of them need to be 'on board' for a period of time before firework season begins, and so planning in advance is crucial."
She also highlights the need for pet owners to not reinforce anxious behaviour.
"It is very easy to inadvertently reinforce behaviour by trying to calm your dog down, such as telling them they are a “good boy/girl” whilst they are displaying anxiety-induced behaviour. The dog may see this as encouragement to exhibit those actions, thus potentiating them, so try and be mindful of not promoting such negative behaviour."
Common tips and whether or not they work
Can an extra blanket help your dog avoid firework anxiety?
Making your dog comfortable is a great way of providing extra comfort. Providing your dog is happy to be laying down, you can cover them with a blanket in order to make your dog feel more secure in its environment during fireworks. Sometimes, building a sort of den can help also - so they can build a nest
Can filling your dog's water bowl help your dog avoid firework anxiety?
When a dog is feeling anxious they will often drink far greater amounts of water than they normally would. You should ensure that your dog’s water bowl is full to the brim during bonfire night and that they have easy access to it.
Can increasing TV/radio volume help your dog to avoid firework anxiety?
If your dog is showing signs of stress during bonfire night you may be able to increase the volume of your TV or radio to drown out some sounds from fireworks. However, as a dog’s hearing is far more sensitive than a human's, you may find this is not greatly effective.
Can closing curtains help your dog avoid firework anxiety?
If your dog is more affected by the flashes a firework creates then closing the curtains and keeping these flashes hidden can be a great way of helping to relieve some anxiety.
Can securing your garden help your dog to avoid firework anxiety?
One of the fight-or-flight reactions your dog may have is to run away. If your dog gets out of your house and into your garden then you should ensure that it is enclosed so that it cannot escape. Many dogs will, unfortunately, go missing during bonfire night due to an open garden.
Can taking your dog for a walk in daylight help them to avoid firework anxiety?
You should also make sure that your dog’s routine during the day is not altered too much on bonfire night. Changes to routine can make a dog anxious even before a firework has gone off. If your dog has a walk during the day, making sure that you do this is imperative to keep your dog in its usual routine.
Can rewarding your dog for calm behaviour help them to avoid firework anxiety?
When your dog is feeling calm during bonfire night after they have shown signs of being stressed then you may want to provide them with a treat to re-enforce this behaviour.
Can a relaxing environment help your dog avoid firework anxiety?
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your dog if they are showing signs of firework anxiety is to create a relaxing environment for them to be in. Making sure they have their bed, toys, food and water will go a long way to making them feel relaxed.
Can keeping your dog company help them to avoid firework anxiety?
It can be hard to know what your dog wants to do when they are anxious as they do not know themselves. Staying with your dog and giving them the comfort that they need can be a great way of reducing their stress, however, some dogs may prefer to be alone.
Can acclimatising your dog to loud noises help them to avoid firework anxiety?
This is not usually recommended as often playing your dog loud noises, or creating loud noises, can actually trigger your dog's anxiety even if it is not a noise made by a firework. You may wish to play your dog the sound of fireworks quietly, but not too loud as to trigger them.
Can wearing a thunder shirt help your dog avoid firework anxiety?
A thunder shirt is a specially designed garment that is worn by your dog during times of stress and anxiety, such as bonfire night or during a thunderstorm. The shirt works on the concept of swaddling, which provides comfort to dogs, much in the same way as a baby.
Can medications help your dog with firework anxiety?
In some cases, dog owners may look towards medications that can help relieve anxiety in their pets. These are effective means of anxiety relief if other methods have not worked. At UK Pets, we provide a range of anxiety medications that can help to relieve the stress of bonfire night.
Can speaking to a vet help your dog to avoid firework anxiety?
Vets are a great source of information not just for medicinal help, but also for behavioural help. Speaking to an online vet, such as those at PocketVet, means you can get top-tier advice, right from the comfort of your own home.
Written by: Rachel Keane, RCVS: 6365059
