Pets and fireworks: 8 ways to prepare before Bonfire Night

1. Ensure microchip contact details are up to date

Firework nights are some of the busiest of the year for lost pets. A frightened dog or cat can clear a fence they'd normally ignore and keep running long after the noise stops.

If they're found and scanned, the microchip is only as useful as the details behind it. A chip registered to your old flat or a phone number you ditched three contracts ago leads nowhere. Updating those details is your job, not your vet's, and the chip doesn't update itself.

It's also the law. Dogs must be microchipped across the UK, and cats in England must be chipped by 20 weeks old. Keepers who don't keep the details current can face a fine of up to £500. Check yours now, whilst your pet is safely asleep on the sofa.

2. Add a tag a stranger can read

Most people who find a lost dog or cat don't own a microchip scanner. But they do have a phone and a pair of eyes. A tag on the collar means they can call you in minutes, rather than waiting for a vet or rescue centre to open.

For dogs, it's a legal requirement anyway: in a public place, their collar or tag must show your name and address (including postcode). Adding a phone number is sensible too. Cats don't legally need a tag, but one makes it far more likely a neighbour gets them home quickly. If your cat wears a collar, use a quick-release (snap-open) one so it can't catch on a fence or branch.

A Smart Pet Tag goes a step further - anyone with a phone can scan the QR code on a Smart Pet Tag and see how to reach you. When a frightened pet ends up in a stranger's garden late at night, that matters.

• Know straight away. You get a Safety Ping the moment your tag is scanned.
• Always up to date. Change your details online in seconds, with no new tag needed.
• You choose what's shown. Add emergency contacts, medical notes, or a line like "Very scared of fireworks, please keep indoors".

OFFER: Get Smart Pet Tag (usually £14.99) for free.

3. Build your dog or cat a safe den before the first bang

A frightened pet, especially cats, wants somewhere to hide. Give them a good one before they invent their own behind the washing machine.

Watch where your pet already goes when they're unsettled and build there. For a dog, that might be a crate or a table draped with a thick blanket, with their bed and an old jumper that smells of you inside. Cats tend to prefer somewhere high up or tucked away, like the top of a wardrobe or a covered bed.

Set it up a week or two ahead so it becomes a normal, pleasant spot rather than the place they get sent when the world ends. Leave the entrance open and never shut them in or drag them out: the den works because it's their choice.

4. Walk your dog earlier in the day (and keep cats in)

The 6pm park loop is a lovely routine for 10 months of the year. In November it's a gamble. Get your dog out in daylight so they've had their exercise and a toilet break before anyone lights a fuse.

Keep them on a lead, even if their recall is usually brilliant, because one unexpected bang can override years of training. A well-fitted harness is harder to back out of than a collar, and it's worth checking the fit before you go.

For cats, the equivalent is bringing them in before dusk and keeping them in overnight. Put a litter tray down, even if they normally go outside, so they're not stuck choosing between a full bladder and a scary garden.

Keep all windows, doors and cat flaps closed to ensure they don’t escape. Cats can also squeeze into tight spaces, especially when they’re feeling frightened. Make sure any unsuitable areas are blocked off to keep them safe.

5. Give them distractions from the noise

A busy brain has less room for panic. Long-lasting chews, frozen lick mats and puzzle feeders give dogs something calming to do, because licking and chewing help many dogs settle. Save a few special ones just for firework nights. Cats benefit too: try a treat puzzle, a scatter of favourite treats, or a play session with a wand toy before dusk to burn off some energy (but leave a hiding cat in peace).

Background noise helps muffle the bangs. Put the TV or radio on at a normal volume a little before things usually kick off, so it doesn't suddenly appear at the same moment as the fireworks.

If you have a bit more time, sound-based training can make a real difference. Playing firework sounds very quietly whilst your pet does something they enjoy, and building up gradually over weeks, can help them learn the noise isn't a threat. Go at their pace, and stop if they show any sign of worry.

6. Use calming products for dogs and cats

Pheromone diffusers and sprays for dogs and cats are widely available, and some owners find they take the edge off. Plug diffusers in near the den a couple of weeks before firework season, not on the night itself. Snug-fitting anxiety wraps suit some pets too, but introduce them on a calm day first.

These can help a mildly nervous pet. They won't fix real fear. If your pet trembles, hides for hours or tries to escape, book a chat with your vet now rather than in the first week of November. There are prescription options, some of which need starting in advance, and your vet can refer you to a qualified behaviourist.

Never give your pet human medication. Several common painkillers and sleeping aids are dangerous to dogs and cats.

7. Close windows and curtains

Shut windows and draw curtains before dark. It dulls the noise, hides the flashes, and closes off escape routes for a pet in full flight mode.

Whilst you're at it, do a quick check of the garden: gaps in fences, wobbly gates, anything a frightened dog could squeeze through or scramble over. Inside, be careful with the front door. Answering it to trick-or-treaters or late deliveries is when a lot of pets make their dash, so pop a baby gate in the hallway or keep them in another room. Once your cat's in for the night, lock the cat flap.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets need thinking about too. Bring hutches into a garage or shed, or indoors if you can, and if not, cover them with a thick blanket (leaving space for air) and add extra bedding to burrow into.

8. Don't leave them alone during fireworks

The big nights are usually easy to predict, so plan to be at home, or have someone your pet knows and trusts with them. A pet panicking alone can hurt themselves trying to get out, and nobody's there to notice.

When you're with them, stay calm and act normally. If your pet comes to you for comfort, give it. Fear isn't something you can reward, so a reassuring stroke won't make them more scared. Let them hide if that's what they want, and never tell them off for barking, shaking or having an accident.

Learn the signs of a struggling pet: panting, pacing, trembling, drooling, hiding, clinging to you, toileting indoors or trying to escape. Spotting them early tells you when to step in, and gives you useful notes for your vet.

Let them choose how to cope

Every pet handles fireworks differently, so follow their lead rather than a fixed plan.

• If they want to hide, let them. Leave them where they feel safe, whether that's their den, under the bed or on top of the wardrobe. Don't pull them out or try to move them somewhere else.
• If they come to you for reassurance, give it. Calm attention and gentle strokes are fine. Research shows that ignoring a frightened pet doesn't help, and comforting them won't make their fear worse.
• If they don't seem worried, keep it that way. Keep them busy with their favourite toys, games or a long-lasting chew so they stay relaxed instead of starting to tune in to the noise.

Don't tell them off

If your pet has an accident, chews something, barks or scratches at the door because they're scared, don't tell them off. It won't stop the fear and is likely to make them more frightened. Clean up calmly later and focus on helping them feel safe.

Common questions

How can I tell if my dog is afraid of fireworks?

Look for trembling, panting, pacing, drooling, a tucked tail, ears pinned back, lip licking or yawning, barking or whining, clinging to you, hiding, chewing, toileting indoors or trying to escape.

How can I tell if my cat is afraid of fireworks?

Cats often go quiet rather than making a fuss. Watch for hiding, crouching low, flattened ears, wide pupils, refusing food, toileting outside the litter tray or overgrooming. If the signs are severe, or carry on after the fireworks stop, speak to your vet.

When is firework season in the UK?

Roughly late October to early January. The busiest nights are around Halloween, Bonfire Night (5 November), Diwali and New Year's Eve, but displays often spill into the weekends either side.

What time can fireworks be set off?

In England and Wales, fireworks can't be set off between 11pm and 7am. The exceptions are Bonfire Night (until midnight) and New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year (until 1am). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check local guidance.

Should I comfort my dog or cat during fireworks?

Yes. If your pet comes to you for reassurance, give it calmly. You can't reward fear, so comforting them won't make it worse. Just don't force a cuddle on a pet who'd rather hide.

Are cats scared of fireworks?

Many are, though they tend to hide rather than show it. Keep cats indoors from before dusk, provide a litter tray and give them high or enclosed places to retreat to.

Can I give my pet something to calm them during fireworks?

Talk to your vet. Pheromone products may help mild nerves, and vets can prescribe medication for more serious fear, but never give your pet human medicines.