At Readyr, our commitment to equipping our community with knowledge and resources to thrive extends to all members of the family, including our beloved pets.
In our latest blog post, Dr. Daisy A. May, a distinguished Veterinary Surgeon, takes us on a journey through understanding and addressing your pet’s firework fears. Dr. May delves into scientifically backed methods that can help alleviate this phobia in your beloved four-legged family member.
Readyr’s Veterinary Expert: Dr Daisy A. May MRCVS BVSc (Distinction), Veterinary Surgeon
It’s late, and it’s dark. You’ve just curled up in your favourite spot on the sofa alongside your favourite human being and are well into the process of happily hunkering down for the night. As your eyes begin to close softly and you start to drift off to the land of nod, you couldn’t imagine a more peaceful way to end the day…
BOOM!
Your head snaps up, and suddenly, you’re wide awake. WHEEEEEEEE BOOM BOOM!
Fully alert now, your heart begins to race, and you realise you’re trembling all over. WHIZZZZ, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
It’s more than you can bear; the fear is simply too much. You cower under a table, shivering and scared, desperate for it all to stop. “What’s the matter, Honey?” asks your concerned human. “Come on, love, come out from under there…come on, good dog”. Tail between your legs, and you stay firmly put. It’s all simply too much.
For most four-legged family members, fireworks (when enjoyed safely) signify festive fun. But for our pets, it’s an entirely different matter. In fact, data suggests that almost 50% of dogs and cats experience fear during fireworks [1]. For me, as a veterinarian, that represents a very serious welfare concern and one that every pet parent should be aware of. Thankfully, there are several scientifically backed tools that can be used to help reduce and even eliminate the fear of fireworks (as well as other noise phobias) in pet dogs and cats. Let’s take a look at some of the best of these.
Desensitisation involves controlled, gradual exposure to the fear-provoking ‘stimulus’ (in this case, fireworks), with the ultimate goal of extinguishing the fear altogether. When carried out correctly, desensitisation should not cause your pet any distress. Because desensitisation is gradual, you need to consider that it takes time and, ideally, start the process at least a few weeks before the fireworks season.
To start the desensitisation process, you will need a fireworks soundtrack. These days, firework sounds are quite readily and often freely available online, for example, the Dog’s Trust’s “Sounds Scary” compilations, which have been specifically designed with desensitisation in mind.
Begin by playing the recording at an extremely low volume. The sound level should be so low that it barely registers with your pet, evoking only mild alertness or curiosity (for example, ears pricking up, head turned towards the sound). Allow your pet to become accustomed to the sound, and be on standby to turn it off should they become visibly anxious or upset. Within several minutes, your pet should lose interest in the sound and settle back into whatever they were doing.
Repeat the process of playing the recording at this volume every day for half an hour until your pet shows no interest in the sound. Then, start to increase the volume in tiny increments over several sessions. Avoid the urge to speed up; it’s absolutely essential that your pet is not alarmed, as this will undo all your good work.
Consistency is important with desensitisation: regular, short sessions will prove more effective than infrequent, long ones. Daily is best. Within a few weeks, you should be able to play very loud fireworks soundtracks around your pet with little or no reaction – mission complete!
Counterconditioning is an incredibly effective method to reduce and remove firework phobias in pets, with success rates reported to be over 70% [3]. The process of counterconditioning involves pairing a reward, such as food or play, with a fear-provoking trigger (again, in this case, fireworks). When used correctly, counterconditioning can replace the fear response with a positive one.
As you might imagine, counterconditioning is relatively simple, but it does require consistency and time to achieve. Many repeated pairings of the fear stimulus (fireworks) and the reward are required to “re-program” your pet’s brain into positively interpreting the sound.
As with many things in life, sometimes the sum of two parts may prove better than each on its own. This is certainly the case with desensitisation and counterconditioning. In fact, a combination of desensitisation and counterconditioning is broadly advocated by vets (myself included) as being the best approach when it comes to eliminating the fear of fireworks and other noises such as thunderstorms, in pet dogs and cats.
Pressure vests such as ThunderShirt have received much media attention recently in the “pet press”, and for good reason; they offer an instant, cost-effective, and (initial research suggests) fairly effective means of reducing the signs of firework phobia, at least in dogs. Promisingly, one study found that upwards of 40% of pet owners felt that a pressure vest was effective in relieving their pet’s firework-evoked fears [3].
A second found that dogs wearing a ThunderShirt specifically did not experience the same degree of increase in heart rate and behavioural signs of anxiety in response to a stressful stimulus (in this case, being left alone in a kennel) [2], suggesting that pressure vests also have a broader application to the rest of the year, and need not languish at the back of your coat closet between January and November—money well spent.
Relaxation training is a lesser-known but valuable approach to help alleviate firework phobias and involves training your canine or feline family member to relax on cue essentially.
Generally, relaxation can be encouraged in both dogs and cats through massage or long, slow and gentle stroking (as any pet owner knows well)! Over time, you can train your pet to associate this state of relaxation with a specific word or cue (such as ‘relax’) by repeating the cue whilst your pet is in this relaxed state. Eventually, the mere mention of the cue can help induce a state of relaxation without the need for continuous stroking or massage.
You can also supplement the above by directly rewarding your dog or cat when they exhibit relaxed facial expressions and postures, such as lying down, resting, and closing their eyes sleepily. By rewarding your pet with a favourite treat, some fuss or attention, you subconsciously reinforce the idea that “being relaxed is good and results in good things happening to me”, meaning your pet will be more likely to behave in a relaxed manner at all times, not just during fireworks season.
If you find yourself without enough time to prepare your pet for fireworks night via desensitisation, counterconditioning or relaxation training, and a pressure vest hasn’t proven effective, then you may wish to consider seeking support in the form of short-term medications prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.
Common examples of medications we prescribe for use during fireworks include benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), sedating antidepressants such as trazodone, and other oral sedatives such as dexmedetomidine (Sileo gel). These drugs are intended as a short-term “crutch” to support your pet through the fireworks season and are not a suitable long-term replacement for carrying out one of the more permanent fear-reprogramming methods outlined above.
Only a qualified and licensed veterinarian can prescribe these medications safely for your pet, and you should absolutely never give your dog or cat your own medication or any other drug that is not directly prescribed for them. This is because a vet needs to examine your pet and their medical history to be able to determine which medications are safe for him or her. Just like us, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to healthcare.
…rest assured that helping your pet become fearless through fireworks is not only possible, but frankly essential for their wellbeing throughout the festive season. Which method – or combination of methods – will work best for your pet depends upon his or her unique personality, trainability and past experiences. After all, every pet is unique.
Whichever technique or techniques you decide upon, the keys to success are time, patience and consistency. What’s more, the above techniques are applicable to a variety of other situations that induce fear, including thunderstorms, car journeys and even vet visits! There’s a whole world of fear-free experiences waiting to be unlocked for your dog or cat.
So here’s to a happy and safe fireworks season for you and your four-legged family members…now that’s BOOM-ing marvellous.
Reference List
Social post:
At Readyr, we’re dedicated to the well-being of every family member, including your beloved pets. In our latest blog post, Dr Daisy A. May, a distinguished Veterinary Surgeon, shares insights on helping your furry friends conquer their fear of fireworks.
Did you know nearly 50% of dogs and cats experience fear during fireworks? Fortunately, there are scientifically backed methods to help ease their anxiety.
Carousel content:
Slide 1: Fearless Through Fireworks: Supporting Your Pet
Slide 2: Desensitisation
Gradual exposure to fireworks.
Use a fireworks soundtrack starting with a low volume.
Consistency is key, with daily, short sessions.
In a few weeks, your pet should handle loud fireworks.
Slide 3: Counterconditioning
Pair rewards (food or play) with fireworks.
Consistency is crucial.
Combining with desensitisation is recommended.
Effective for fireworks and other noise phobias.
Slide 4: Pressure Vests (e.g., ThunderShirt)
Instant, cost-effective relief for up to 40% of pets.
Studies show reduced heart rate and anxiety.
Useful year-round, not just during fireworks.
Slide 5: Relaxation Training
Train pets to relax on cue through gentle stroking or massage.
Associate relaxation with a specific word or cue.
Reward relaxed expressions and postures with treats or attention.
Keeps pets calm during various stressful situations.
Slide 6: Medication Support
Short-term medications may be necessary.
Consult a veterinarian for safe prescription.
Medications are temporary and not a long-term solution.
Press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fearless Through Fireworks: Readyr’s Guide to Supporting Your Pet During Firework Season
Readyr’s commitment to equipping their community with knowledge and resources to thrive extends to all members of the family, including beloved pets.
Readyr’s Veterinary Expert, Dr Daisy A. May MRCVS BVSc (Distinction), Veterinary Surgeon, takes us on a journey through understanding and addressing your pet’s firework fears. Dr. May delves into scientifically backed methods that can help alleviate this phobia in our beloved four-legged family members.
“BOOM! It’s too much; fear overwhelms you. For most of us, fireworks (when enjoyed safely) symbolise festive joy. But for our pets, it’s a different story,” says Dr Daisy A. May, a distinguished Veterinary Surgeon.
In fact, data suggests that nearly 50% of dogs and cats experience fear during fireworks [1]. As a veterinarian, Dr. May finds this to be a serious welfare concern—one that every pet parent should be aware of. Fortunately, there are scientifically-backed tools to help reduce and even eliminate this fear.
Here are some essential tips to make your pet fearless through fireworks:
Desensitisation
Gradual exposure to fireworks to extinguish fear.
Start this process at least a few weeks before the fireworks season begins.
Use a fireworks soundtrack designed for desensitisation.
Dr Daisy A. May adds, “Desensitisation should not distress your pet when done correctly. Start this process at least a few weeks before fireworks season begins.“
Counterconditioning
Pair a reward with fireworks to replace fear with a positive response.
Requires consistency and many repeated pairings of the fear stimulus with the reward.
“Counterconditioning replaces the fear response with a positive one, but it requires consistency and time,” advises Dr. May.
Pressure Vests (e.g., ThunderShirt)
Offer an instant, cost-effective means to reduce firework phobia, particularly in dogs.
Up to 40% of pet owners found them effective.
Dr Daisy A. May highlights, “Pressure vests like ThunderShirt offer a cost-effective way to reduce firework phobia and have broader applications throughout the year.“
Relaxation Training
Train pets to relax on cue through gentle stroking or massage.
Reward relaxed expressions and postures with treats or attention.
Dr. Daisy A. May suggests, “Train your pet to relax on cue associated with a specific word or cue.”
Medication Support
Short-term medications may be needed if other methods aren’t effective.
Consult a veterinarian for a safe prescription.
“Short-term medications can support your pet during fireworks season but should not replace other permanent fear-reprogramming methods,” says Dr. May.
In conclusion, Dr. Daisy A. May emphasises, “Every pet is unique; the keys to success are time, patience, and consistency.”
So, here’s to a happy and safe fireworks season for you and your four-legged family members.
Reference List:
Dale, A.R., Walker, J.K., Farnworth, M.J., Morrissey, S.V. and Waran, N.K. (2011) ‘A survey of owners’ perceptions of fear of fireworks in a sample of dogs and cats in New Zealand’. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 58(6), pp. 286-291.
King, C., Buffington, L., Smith, T.J. and Grandin, T. (2014) ‘The effect of a pressure wrap (ThunderShirt) on heart rate and behaviour in canines with anxiety disorder’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9 (5), pp. 215-221.
Riemer, S. (2020) ‘Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 37, pp. 61-70. Available at: Dog’s Trust “Sounds Scary” compilations.
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