31/12/2025
🎆Fireworks and Fear: Petrified Pets 🎆
New Year and preparing for fireworks at midnight 🎉
Although spectacular to watch they have very real implications for the welfare of our wildlife, livestock and pet animals.
⬇️Here is some advice this firework season. Stay tuned for more individual advice on each section in the coming weeks.
🐱Cats
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Try and keep them inside after dark. We understand this can be difficult. You may need to provide more play and calming aids to help them with a change in routine
✅Close all doors and windows to prevent them bolting
✅Shut curtains to dim the noise and flashes
✅ Give them a safe hiding place or don't disturb them if they find their own safe place to settle. Cats often like to be up high
🐶Dogs
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Walk before dark. If toileting outside go out with them on a leash to avoid them bolting if a firework goes off unexpectedly
✅Use calming aids
✅Give them as safe place to stay that is covered, dark and quiet. Do not lock them in here.
✅Watch that all doors are closed to avoid escape
✅You can comfort your pet, just ensure you stay safe if they are extremely agitated
🐭Small Furries
✅You may need to bring any animals inside if it doesn't cause them too much stress
✅They may require more bedding
✅Cover accomodation to prevent the lights from upsetting them
✅Move indoor enclosures away from windows to dull the noise and light
🐴Horses
✅Check local fire displays and prepare
✅Keep to a routine
✅Check the field or Stable is free from hazards
✅Give your vet notice if you require medication for your horses anxiety
✅Check on them regularly or stay with them if they are known to spook so you can react quickly if they become upset
🐮Livestock
✅Tell local farmers if you intend to have a Firework display and try to avoid the loud fireworks. Do not set fireworks off around fields containing livestock.
🦔 Wildlife
✅Check bonfires before lighting for any wildlife such as rodents or hedgehogs
✅Avoid setting fireworks off near known wildlife areas like nature reserves
🧑⚕️ How your vet can help
✅If your animals experiences distress then there are medications we can prescribe, this should have been sorted a while ago given that you need it today!
✅You will likely need a prescription check even if you have it yearly
✅Veterinary professionals are also well placed to give you individual advice on how to help your pets
🎆If you plan to have a firework display:
➡️Please tell all your neighbours in advance that you plan it.
This will ensure they have had time to adequately prepare their animals for the event.
If possible please consider using alternative options such as silent or low noise fireworks if you know you are surrounded by families with cats, dogs, other pets or if you live by a farm or livery yard.
➡️Please tell owners how long the display will go on for and don't go beyond that so they know when it is safe to let their pets out for toileting or grazing.
➡️ Please do not release sky lanterns
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/skylanterns
🚒👩🚒 Please also be fire safe!
🔥https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law
🔥https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety
Other links:
➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks
➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks
➡️ https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/storms-and-fireworks/
