As fireworks season approaches, do you worry about your horses, dogs, and cats? For many in the UK, the run-up to November 5th and New Year’s Eve can bring significant distress to pets and livestock, leaving owners scrambling for solutions. Whether you have a pet that’s a trembling wreck at the sound of fireworks or have developed ways to help them cope, the season poses unique challenges.
One of the main reasons animals may struggle is their heightened sensitivity to sound. What may seem loud to us can be extremely overwhelming to them. Animals also hear a wider range of frequencies than we do, so the whistles in some fireworks may contain high-pitched tones beyond our perception but well within theirs. Adding to the sensory overload are the intense flashes of light and distinct odours.
Advice and support:
If you’re looking for ways to support your animals during this time, we’ve compiled resources to help you prepare and protect them:
• Fireworks and Pets and Desensitisation
• Protect your horse from fireworks
• Prepare Your Horse For New Year’s Eve Fireworks
• Fireworks & Horses – A Survey of Owners
• Fireworks and the Animal Welfare Act: New Report and Infographic
These resources provide practical advice and insights to help your animals feel more secure during the fireworks season.
