With Bonfire Night upon us and fireworks likely to continue over the coming weeks, it is an important time to think about how we can help our animals cope with the noise, flashes and disruption that fireworks can bring.
For many horses, ponies, dogs, cats and other pets, fireworks can be a significant source of fear and anxiety. In an Animalweb survey of almost 3,000 horse owners, around 80% reported that their horses or ponies were affected by fireworks, with 18% describing their animals as severely affected.
Advice to help you prepare for fireworks
At Animalweb, we’ve put together a collection of articles, research and practical advice to help owners better understand how fireworks affect animals and what they can do to reduce the risks.
- Fireworks and Pets and Desensitisation – Understanding how gradual exposure may help pets cope with firework noise.
- Protect Your Horse from Fireworks – Practical steps to help keep horses safe and reduce stress.
- Prepare Your Horse for New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Advice for planning ahead for the next major fireworks event.
- Fireworks & Horses – A Survey of Owners – What our research revealed about the impact of fireworks on horses and their owners.
- Fireworks and the Animal Welfare Act: New Report and Infographic – Exploring the wider welfare implications of fireworks.
Whether you own horses, dogs, cats or other animals, preparation can make a real difference. Providing a familiar, secure environment, maintaining normal routines where possible and recognising the early signs of distress can all help.
For animals with severe firework fears, speak to your vet about appropriate support and management options.
Fireworks may only last a few minutes, but their impact on our animals can be much longer. A little preparation now could make a big difference to their welfare.
