Overview
- Following Bonfire Night on Nov 5, vets and behaviour specialists issued urgent guidance for owners to take immediate steps to protect pets from sudden loud noises.
- Common signs of stress include trembling, hiding, pacing, panting, barking, clinginess and attempts to escape, and owners are asked to watch for subtle changes as well as obvious reactions.
- Practical, same-day measures include keeping pets indoors, creating a familiar ‘safe space,’ closing curtains, playing background noise, securing doors and fences, and avoiding evening walks.
- For dogs with severe fear, vets can offer last-minute tailored plans or short-term medication and behaviourists recommend longer-term desensitisation, recall training and tools such as pressure wraps or ear covers.
- Regional surveys highlight wider concern: Pets at Home found many Birmingham owners hear fireworks late and often, Animal Friends research shows strong demand for tougher rules in Yorkshire, and petitions and local campaigns are pushing councils to limit noisy displays.