Here’s our advice on making this night just another relaxed evening for your beloved pets.
Bonfire Night is a fun, sparkly occasion for us humans, but it can be a shocking, scary event for your fluffy friends! Whether you’ve got dogs, cats, birds, or reptiles, they’re far more sensitive to the bangs and shrieks than you may think.
It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Bonfire Night, though. You just need to be a bit more thoughtful about how to make it safe for your furry friends. It’s not only helpful for them, but you’ll also have some peace of mind that your fluff will be okay while you’re enjoying the festivities.
If you’re staying at home
Not everyone will be heading out to watch fireworks displays on Bonfire Night! If you’re a homebody, you might want to spend some extra time with your fluffs on this noisy night. Here’s what you can do to keep your pets safe and calm on the evening.
Stay With Them
Your pets see you as the leader of their pack (in most cases!), and they feel safe with you. Which means the safest spot for them to be when fireworks are popping outside is right with their beloved owner!
This might sound obvious if you’re staying at home, but some pet parents assume that their floof will be better off in a dark room alone. Not so—they want to be with you so they can look to you for assurance when they start to feel freaked out.
If your pets are allowed on the furniture, this is a good night to have a cuddle puddle and watch a movie. If they aren’t, why not lay down some blankets and have an indoor picnic? And if they do choose to hide somewhere, don’t force them out… Sit with them.
Don’t Let Them Out Alone
Of course, sometime during the evening, nature is going to come a-calling. Unless your pup is house-trained and has a specific spot where they can do their business indoors, you’ll need to let them out… Out into the loud, fireworky world.
Letting them out alone could be disastrous. If there’s a big bang while they’re doing their thing, it takes just a split second for them to get a fright and bolt. This not only increases their chance of getting lost, but it also leaves your beloved pet open to injuring themselves as they run around frantically in the dark.
If they’ve got to go out, take them out on the leash. If they’re a little too scared to go outdoors, lay some newspaper down and encourage them to go there.
Distract Them
Bonfire Night is the perfect night for a movie, if you’re staying home! And a movie is the ideal way to distract your pets from the flashes and bangs outside. Or you can play a bit of soothing music if you’re not in the mood for a movie.
Distracting your pet is the best way to get their attention off of what’s going on outside. Playing a movie with a bit of a higher volume than usual might calm them down, especially if watching movies is something you do often.
If movies or music aren’t an option, just spending a few hours playing with your pet can make a huge difference. Throw their favourite toy around, play a bit of indoor chase (make sure it’s safe!), or have a wrestle. Distracting and tiring for your fluff!
If you’re heading out
Part of the excitement of Bonfire Night is the spectacular fireworks displays! If you’re planning on going out for the evening to partake in the festivities, a bit of preparation can ensure that your pets stay safe and relaxed at home.
Create A Safe Space
If your pet has a crate, you can leave them in it. But it’s still wise to leave the crate in a safe space that’s quiet and comforting.
Some pets are happy to be in the dark. But it’s always helpful to leave a small lamp on so that if they do happen to get out of their crate—or if they aren’t in one in the first place—there’s no injury risk due to darkness.
Whether they’re in a crate or not, we recommend creating a safe space for them. A small room should be enough space, unless they particularly enjoy the safety of a tiny space like a crate.
Focus on a few things here:
- Quiet: If you have a soundproof spot, perfect! If not, you can play soothing music or leave a movie on in the background so they feel less alone.
- Safe: Make sure there’s minimal ways your dog could injure themselves in the space.
- Temperature: Make sure the space isn’t too warm for your pet. If it’s cool, place a blanket or basket in it for them to warm up.
- Food & Water: Don’t leave your pet starving or thirsty! Make sure they have enough food and water to see them through the evening.
- Toys: Make sure your pet has their favourite comforting toy with them in their space. This serves both as comfort and as a distraction.
- Poop spot: Lay down some newspaper in a corner for them to do their business on. Even if they aren’t house-trained, they should figure it out!
Leave Noise On
If you’re heading out, leaving a movie or music on can make your pet feel a little less alone. Not only will it help them to feel comforted, but it can significantly dampen the noise of what’s going outside.
Don’t leave it blaring, though! Just a little above what’s considered normal is perfectly okay. You don’t want to ruin the neighbours’ experience of Bonfire Night if they’re staying home!
Relocate Outdoor Pets
If you’re heading out, leaving a movie or music on can make your pet feel a little less alone. Not only will it help them to feel comforted, but it can significantly dampen the noise of what’s going outside.
Don’t leave it blaring, though! Just a little above what’s considered normal is perfectly okay. You don’t want to ruin the neighbours’ experience of Bonfire Night if they’re staying home!
helpful tips
Every pet is different. If you’ve never had a Bonfire Night with your pets before, it’s hard to tell how they might react! But you know them best, so it’s a good idea to prepare beforehand.
Here are a few handy tips that may make this night easier for both your fluffs and you.
- Try a thunder jacket: Thunder jackets are designed to provide light or firm touch to your pet in order to ease anxiety. They have excellent reviews and you can find them for both cats and dogs.
- Try pet CBD oil: CBD oil for pets is a natural remedy that calms them down. Make sure to give them the right dose—although it’s natural, you can still give them a bit too much!
- Get them microchipped: Even if you take all the precautions, your pet may still spook and get out. Microchipping them means you’ll be able to find them again! Not having them microchipped may lead to them being lost forever.
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