How to calm dogs during fireworks

Fireworks are exciting for us but can be scary for our dogs. So, it’s only natural that dog owners will plan how to make bonfire night as stress free as possible for their dogs. But, we don’t always know when fireworks are going to happen. What about those times when you get caught off guard? Read our blog to learn how to calm dogs during fireworks, especially when you’re not expecting them.

5 things that can be done quickly and easily to calm dogs during fireworks:

1. Close the curtains – this helps block out noise and light from fireworks, helping to calm your dog.
2. Switch on the radio/music or turn the TV volume up – this will help drown out the noise of fireworks, helping your dog feel calmer.
3. Allow your dog to hide – it’s natural to hide from things that frighten us, and dogs are no different. If your dog hides from the fireworks, don’t try to tempt them out to face their fears. This could make your dog’s stress and fear of fireworks worse.
4. Reassure your dog if they come to you – if your dog is scared, they may come to you for comfort. If they do, don’t ignore them. Give them a stroke and reassure them as you would normally. This will help them feel more reassured and calm during the fireworks.
5. Act naturally – if you don’t appear bothered by fireworks, then your dog will see there is nothing to be worried about.

The key thing is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out our step-by-step plan for bonfire night. It explains what you can do before you expect fireworks and also on the night, to help ensure that you and your dog won’t be caught out by unexpected fireworks again.

To help your dog feel calm and reassured during firework time, we recommend using a calming diffuser and/or a calming spot-on. Calming diffusers are easy to use, just plug in the room where your pet spends most of their time and allow the calming effect to reassure your pet. Meanwhile, calming spot-ons create a calming effect that travels with your pet wherever they go. Beaphar provides two calming ranges – Beaphar CaniComfort® pheromone calming range and Beaphar StressLess Herbal calming range, all with products suited for you dog which can be used alongside each other to provide support during this stressful period.

The Beaphar CaniComfort® Range of pheromone calming products contain a synthetic copy of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) - clinically proven to promote feelings of reassurance in dogs, and instantly recognisable to dogs of all ages. The Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Diffuser is effective for up to 30 days, so you and your dog don’t need to worry about being caught out by unexpected fireworks. The Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Spot-On is effective for up to 1 week and begins calming your dog within 15 minutes of application.

If you prefer a plant-based solution, the Beaphar StressLess Herbal Calming Range offers calming rooted in nature. Using a variety of herbal ingredients well-known for their calming effects and often used in human healthcare for relieving stress and anxiety, they are a popular choice for pet owners. The Beaphar StressLess Herbal Calming Diffuser offers continuous reassurance for up to 4 weeks, while the Beaphar StressLess Herbal Calming Spot-On delivers a calming effect for up to 1 week and is effective around 1 hour after application.