From the first little whizz to the loudest bang, helping our four-legged family members feel safe.

There’s something rather magical about fireworks, isn’t there? The colours lighting up the night sky, the excitement of Bonfire Night and those wonderful displays that make everyone stop and look upwards.

But for some of our much-loved animals, the experience is anything but magical.

Imagine being curled up in your favourite spot at home, perfectly content, when suddenly there’s an enormous bang outside. Then another. And another.

You don’t know where the noise is coming from, what it means or when it’s going to stop.

For many dogs, cats and other animals, that’s exactly what fireworks can feel like.

It raises a really interesting question.

What if we could help our pets become familiar with those strange noises long before Bonfire Night arrives?

Why Are Dogs So Frightened of Fireworks?

Think about the noises your dog hears every day.

The kettle boiling, a doorbell ringing and the TV providing that all-too-familiar background noise. There will be cars passing outside, hoomans hoovering up fur (why is beyond most poppets) and that can be very unpopular indeed!

Over time, our pets become familiar with these sounds because they’re part of everyday life.

Then the bang, literally, fireworks come along, and they’re very different.

They can be exceptionally loud, unpredictable and accompanied by bright flashes and vibrations. Unlike the noises around the house, they might only be heard on a handful of evenings throughout the year.

Dogs and cats, I might add, also have much more sensitive hearing than we do, so something that makes us jump a bit might be genuinely terrifying for them.

Some dogs seem completely unbothered, but others tremble, pant, hide, pace around the house or desperately seek reassurance.

It’s important to remember that they’re not being naughty or difficult.

They’re frightened, and they need us to understand that.

Could We Help Puppies Become Comfortable With Firework Sounds?

This is where things get particularly interesting.

Puppies go through an important period of development when they’re learning about the world around them.

During this time, carefully introducing them to different experiences, environments and noises can help them develop confidence, and that includes the sound of fireworks.

Rather than waiting until November, when the first enormous bang might come as a complete shock, we can begin helping puppies become familiar with these noises much earlier.

The key is to make those introductions gentle, positive and entirely at the puppy’s pace.

It doesn’t mean playing loud fireworks recordings and expecting them to get used to it.

Quite the opposite.

It means introducing sounds so quietly that the puppy remains completely relaxed, perhaps enjoying a little treat or playing with a favourite toy.

Over time, and only while the puppy remains comfortable, the sounds can be introduced gradually.

The aim is to help them learn that an unfamiliar noise doesn’t necessarily mean something frightening is about to happen.

Of course, no amount of preparation can guarantee that a dog will never develop a fear of fireworks, but thoughtful early experiences may help.

Have You Heard About the Guide Dogs National Fireworks Archive?

Now, this is something I discovered recently and thought was far too useful not to share.

In 2026, the wonderful charity Guide Dogs introduced its National Fireworks Archive, a collection of real fireworks footage designed to help dogs become familiar with the sounds they might encounter.

It’s a particularly interesting idea because fireworks don’t all sound alike.

You’ve got your whistles and crackles. Others produce enormous bangs, sometimes with several noises following one another.

The archive gives owners access to examples of these different sounds as a resource for gradual familiarisation. And there’s another lovely element to the project.

Guide Dogs is inviting people to contribute their own fireworks recordings to help build the collection.

You can explore the archive and find advice about helping your dog cope with fireworks here:

Guide Dogs: Dogs and Fireworks

One important thing to remember: recordings should only be introduced at a level your dog finds comfortable. If your dog already shows signs of fear, speak to your vet before attempting sound training.

Another Wonderful Resource: Dogs Trust Sound Therapy

Dogs Trust also offers a collection of sound therapy resources designed to help puppies and dogs become accustomed to everyday noises.

Their programmes include Sounds Sociable, which introduces puppies to a variety of sounds, and Sounds Scary, which focuses on potentially frightening noises, including fireworks and thunder.

The resources have been developed with veterinary behaviour specialists and include instructions to help owners use them appropriately.

I particularly love that this isn’t just about Bonfire Night. It’s the whole kit n kaboodle to help puppies feel comfortable in the world they’re growing up in.

You can find the recordings and accompanying guidance here:

Dogs Trust: Sound Therapy and Firework Training

What About Older Dogs?

It’s never too late to look for ways to help a dog feel more comfortable, although the approach may be different.

If your adult dog is already frightened of fireworks, simply playing recordings could make matters worse, particularly if the volume is too high or the dog feels unable to escape.

A vet can help identify whether there are medical or behavioural factors contributing to their fear and may recommend a qualified clinical animal behaviourist.

Some dogs benefit from carefully planned desensitisation and positive associations with sounds. Others may need additional support, including medication prescribed by a vet.

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply make sure they feel safe.

Our Cats Need a Little Understanding Too

Of course, it’s not only dogs who find fireworks frightening.

Cats can be particularly sensitive to sudden noises and changes in their surroundings.

Some disappear beneath the bed. Others retreat to the back of a wardrobe or find a quiet corner where they feel protected, and that’s perfectly understandable.

Unlike puppies, cats shouldn’t simply be given dog sound-training recordings with the assumption that the same approach will work.

For cats, a familiar environment, safe hiding places and the freedom to choose where they settle can be particularly important.

During firework evenings, keeping cats safely indoors, closing windows and curtains, and making sure their usual hiding places are accessible can all help.

If your cat chooses to hide, don’t drag them out for a cuddle, let them decide when they’re ready; sometimes the kindest thing we can do is give them a little space.

I find that background noise is always a help, so leaving the TV on if you go out or having the Classic FM Pets playlist on can provide something soothing and familiar for them.

Don’t Forget the Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Other Small Animals

Our smaller family members can be just as affected by fireworks.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are prey animals, and sudden loud noises can trigger intense fear.

If they normally live outside, consider moving them into a suitable quiet indoor environment well before fireworks begin, allowing them time to become familiar with their temporary surroundings.

Make sure they have appropriate bedding, places to hide and the company of their usual compatible companions.

If their accommodation must remain outside, follow species-appropriate welfare guidance on sheltering them from noise and flashes, while maintaining proper ventilation, and keep an eye on their eating and behaviour afterwards.

A rabbit or guinea pig who stops eating needs prompt veterinary attention. The RSPCA has some excellent advice covering dogs, cats and smaller animals:

RSPCA: Keeping Pets Safe During Fireworks

Bonfire Night Is Almost Here. What Can We Do Right Now?

If you’re reading this in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, you might be wondering whether you’ve left things too late.

Not at all.

Although meaningful sound training takes time, there are plenty of practical things you can do to help your pet feel safer this year.

Create somewhere safe. A cosy corner, familiar bed or quiet room can provide somewhere your pet feels secure. Ideally, introduce it before fireworks begin.

Keep your evenings predictable. Familiar routines can be reassuring, particularly when everything outside seems rather unpredictable.

Close curtains and windows. This can help reduce the impact of sudden flashes and some of the noise.

Plan walks during daylight. For dogs, an earlier walk can help avoid unexpected fireworks after dark.

Use familiar background sounds. Music or television at a comfortable volume may help disguise some of the noise. Dogs Trust also offers a Sound Blanket designed to help mask fireworks.

Let your pet choose what feels comfortable. Some dogs want to curl up beside you. Others prefer to hide. Neither response is wrong.

Offer reassurance. If your dog comes to you for comfort, there’s no need to ignore them. Calm affection and familiar company can help them feel supported.

If your pet has previously shown severe fear, speak to your vet now rather than waiting for Bonfire Night itself.

A Little Preparation That Could Make a Big Difference

Perhaps the most interesting thing about all this is that helping our pets become familiar with different sounds doesn’t need to be something we only think about in October.

For puppies, it can become part of their early experiences, alongside meeting new people, exploring different environments and discovering the world around them.

For older dogs, there may be opportunities to build confidence gradually with appropriate guidance, and for cats and smaller animals, understanding their individual needs can help us create environments where they feel protected.

Ultimately, this isn’t about expecting our pets to love fireworks, it’s about recognising that they experience the world differently from us, and doing whatever we reasonably can to help them feel safe.

They’re part of our families, after all, and they depend on us to look after them.

With love,

Claire

Woodland Hill Photography, East Grinstead, West Sussex

At Woodland Hill Photography, our Pawtrait experiences celebrate the dogs who are such an important part of our families; whether they have four paws or two feet, family is family.

This article shares general animal welfare information and links to guidance from Guide Dogs, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. It is not a substitute for veterinary or qualified animal behaviour advice. Always seek professional guidance if your pet is experiencing significant fear or distress.