Overview
- PDSA advises walking dogs before dark, keeping cats at home, securing doors, windows and pet flaps, and setting up a cosy den with familiar bedding, toys and treats.
- Owners are told to stay calm, remain with pets that seek reassurance, and use television or music to help mask bangs and flashes during displays.
- For animals that remain highly distressed, PDSA recommends contacting a vet for tailored advice, which may include short‑term calming aids or referral to a behaviourist.
- Longer‑term desensitisation—gradual training over months to associate firework noises with rewards—is recommended to build resilience for future seasons.
- Additional cautions include using CBD or sedatives only with veterinary oversight, avoiding toxic festive foods, planning care to prevent escapes or abandonment, and considering FOUR PAWS’ call to choose firework‑free or quieter celebrations.