Fireworks and Your Dog: A Gentle Plan to Start Before Bonfire Night

Hello again!

It is that time of year when I start to hear the first rockets going up over the hedgerows, and with them come the worried messages from owners whose dogs are already trembling, panting or hiding behind the sofa. If your dog is scared of fireworks, please know you are far from alone. In Dogs Trust's National Dog Survey, 45% of owners said their dogs aren't always calm when fireworks go off.

The most important thing I can tell you after 40 years of working with dogs is this: the night itself is too late to start. A frightened dog needs a few weeks of preparation, and Bonfire Night is now only a couple of weeks away. So let us make a plan together, today.

Why fireworks frighten dogs so much

Dogs hear far more than we do. Dogs Trust puts their hearing at roughly four times more sensitive than ours, so a bang that makes us jump can feel like an explosion to them. Fireworks are also sudden, unpredictable and bright, with strange smells of smoke drifting in the air. To a dog, nothing about it makes sense, and there is nowhere to run.

Signs that your dog is struggling include:

• Trembling, shaking or panting when it isn't warm
• Pacing, whining or not being able to settle
• Hiding, or clinging to you and following you from room to room
• Refusing food or refusing to go out after dark
• Toileting indoors or trying to escape

Fear often builds year on year if it isn't supported, which is why starting early matters so much.

Three weeks out: build a safe den

Choose a quiet corner, ideally in the middle of the house away from windows. A covered crate, a space behind the sofa or a table draped with a blanket all work beautifully. Fill it with their bed, an old jumper that smells of you, and a favourite chew.

Introduce the den now, while things are calm, by dropping treats in there and letting your dog choose to rest in it. A den only feels safe if it already feels like home before the bangs begin.

Bringing in calming herbs early

This is where the hedgerow can really help. Calming, or nervine, herbs have been used for generations to support a relaxed, settled mood. Herbs such as chamomile, lemon balm, skullcap and valerian are traditionally used for anxious dogs.

The key with herbs is time. They work gently, so I always suggest starting a herbal blend two to three weeks before the fireworks begin. My Nerve Calm Companion Herbal Powder was made with exactly this in mind. You simply stir it into your dog's food each day, so by Bonfire Night it is already part of their routine.

Homeopathy for the noisy nights

Alongside a daily herb, many owners like to have something to hand for the nights themselves. Homeopathic drops are easy to give, even to a dog who has gone off their food with worry. My Calm & Quiet Homeopathic Drops are made for dogs who find sudden noise unsettling, and are designed to support your dog without making them drowsy.

If you like to make things yourself, my Calm & Comfort eBook has my calming teas, blends and den ideas all in one place.

On the night: Elaine's checklist

1. Walk early. Take your dog out in daylight, well before dusk, and make sure they have been to the toilet before it gets dark.
2. Feed before the bangs. Dogs Trust recommends feeding before the fireworks start, as a worried dog may not want to eat later.
3. Close up the house. Draw the curtains, shut windows and cat flaps, and check doors and garden gates. Frightened dogs can bolt, so make sure their ID tag and microchip details are up to date.
4. Add gentle sound. Soft music or the television helps blur the sudden bangs.
5. Stay with them. Dogs may panic if left alone, so stay home if you can. Let them hide if they want to, and never force them outside.
6. Stay calm yourself. It is fine to comfort your dog. Keep your voice low and slow and your body relaxed, because they take their lead from you.

Remember that in the UK, fireworks are allowed until midnight on 5 November, and until 1am on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, so plan for late nights on those dates.

When to speak to your vet

Natural support sits alongside veterinary care, not instead of it, and works best for dogs with mild to moderate worries. If your dog's fear is severe, if they hurt themselves trying to escape, or if it is getting worse each year, please speak to your vet well before the fireworks start. They can check for any underlying health problems and talk to you about a referral to an accredited behaviourist. Always tell your vet about any herbs or remedies you are using.

You will find more practical guidance on the Dogs Trust fireworks page.

Final thoughts

A scared dog isn't being silly or naughty. They are genuinely frightened, and they are relying on us to help. With a safe den, a little forward planning and the gentle support of nature, you can help your dog feel much safer this year, and every year after.

Start today, keep it calm, and give them plenty of love.

Natural love & care,

Elaine, The Dog Herbalist