How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks: UK Guide

Fireworks season doesn’t have to mean misery for your four-legged friend. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your dog calm, safe, and stress-free — from proven products to expert-backed techniques.

Quick Stats: According to a 2025 Savanta poll commissioned by the RSPCA, 60% of UK dog owners say fireworks have negatively affected their dog. That’s millions of dogs in distress every year — from trembling and hiding to vomiting, injury, and long-term anxiety.

If your dog dreads the bangs, you’re not alone. And there’s a lot you can do about it.

When to Expect Fireworks in the UK

Fireworks aren’t just a one-night affair. Here are the key dates to prepare for:

Event	Typical Dates	Intensity
Bonfire Night	Oct 31 – Nov 7	🔴 Peak season
Diwali	Oct/Nov (varies)	🟡 Moderate
New Year’s Eve	Dec 31 – Jan 1	🟡 Moderate
Wedding season	May – September	🟢 Sporadic
Local events	Year-round	🟢 Sporadic

Pro tip: Private displays with no warning are often the worst culprits. Preparation is your best weapon.

Understanding Why Dogs Hate Fireworks

Dogs hear sounds four times further away than humans and at much higher frequencies. A bang that’s mildly annoying to you can be genuinely painful and terrifying for your dog.

Common signs of firework anxiety:

Trembling or shaking
Excessive panting or drooling
Whining, barking, or howling
Hiding or trying to escape
Pacing or restlessness
Refusing to eat
Loss of bladder/bowel control
Destructive behaviour (scratching doors, chewing)

Important: Never punish your dog for being scared. It’s not “bad behaviour” — it’s a genuine fear response. Telling them off will only make it worse next time.

Before Fireworks Season: Preparation is Key

1. Create a Safe Space

Set up a den or “safe haven” well before fireworks season starts. This gives your dog time to associate it with comfort:

Choose a quiet room away from windows (an interior room or cupboard under stairs works well)
Add familiar bedding — something that smells like you
Include favourite toys and a long-lasting chew
Keep it accessible 24/7 — your dog should be able to retreat there whenever they need to
Cover with blankets to muffle sound and block flashes

2. Sound Desensitisation (Start Weeks Early)

This is the gold standard approach, recommended by vets and behaviourists:

Find firework sound recordings (YouTube, Spotify, or the Dogs Trust “Sounds Scary” programme — it’s free)
Play at very low volume while your dog is relaxed
Pair the sounds with positive things (treats, play, dinner)
Gradually increase volume over several weeks
If your dog shows any signs of stress, turn it down

Timeline: Start at least 6-8 weeks before fireworks season for best results.

3. Walk Schedule Changes

In the weeks around peak fireworks:

Walk during daylight hours — finish before dusk
Keep your dog on a lead near fireworks hotspots, even if normally off-lead
Ensure microchip details are up to date — frightened dogs bolt, and it happens more often than you’d think
Collar and ID tag should be on, even indoors

Calming Products That Actually Work

Not all “calming” products are created equal. Here’s what vets and behaviourists actually recommend:

ADAPTIL Diffuser — Best Overall Calming Aid

How it works: Releases dog-appeasing pheromones (DAP) that mimic the calming signals a mother dog produces for her puppies. Clinically proven to reduce stress in dogs.

Best for: Background calm over the whole fireworks period. Plug it in where your dog spends most time.

ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser (covers 70m²) — **£25-30**
Refills last 30 days — plan for the whole season
Also available as a collar (great for dogs who move around)

Our verdict: This is the one product most vets recommend first. It’s subtle — you won’t see dramatic changes immediately — but it genuinely reduces baseline anxiety.

➡️ Check price on Amazon | Also available from your vet or Pets at Home

ThunderShirt — Best for Acute Episodes

How it works: Applies gentle, constant pressure around your dog’s torso — like swaddling a baby. The pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Best for: Putting on just before and during fireworks.

ThunderShirt Classic — ~£35-45 (sizing from XXS to XXL)
Made by the same company as ADAPTIL
80% success rate claimed by manufacturer

Our verdict: Works brilliantly for some dogs, less so for others. Worth trying — most retailers have good return policies if it doesn’t suit your dog.

➡️ Check price on Amazon | Also from Pets at Home, ADAPTIL.co.uk

YuMOVE Calming Care — Best Supplement

How it works: Contains natural L-Tryptophan, Lemon Balm, and Fish Protein Hydrolysate — ingredients shown to support calm behaviour.

Best for: Daily use in the weeks leading up to fireworks season.

YuMOVE Calming Care for Dogs — ~£15-20 (30 tablets)
Can take 6-8 weeks to reach full effect
Also good for general anxiety, car journeys, vet visits

Our verdict: Great as part of a multi-pronged approach. Start early — these aren’t “instant calm” tablets.

➡️ Check price on Amazon | Also from YuMOVE.co.uk direct

Other Options Worth Considering

Product	Type	Price	Notes
Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian	Herbal tablets	~£12	Popular UK herbal remedy, give 30 mins before
Pet Remedy Diffuser	Plug-in diffuser	~£15	Valerian-based, works for cats too
Kong Classic (stuffed & frozen)	Distraction	~£8-15	Not “calming” per se, but occupation = less panic
Snuffle mat	Enrichment	~£10-20	Mental stimulation to redirect focus

A word on CBD products: While CBD for dogs is increasingly popular, the evidence is still limited and regulation is patchy in the UK. If you’re considering it, speak to your vet first.

During Fireworks: Your Action Plan

The Evening Routine

Before dark:

✅ Close all windows, curtains, and blinds
✅ Put your dog’s ThunderShirt on (if using)
✅ Check their safe space is ready
✅ Turn on TV or music (classical music, or heavy bass tracks work well to mask bangs)
✅ Secure all doors and cat flaps — frightened dogs can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps

When fireworks start:

✅ Stay calm yourself — dogs pick up on your anxiety
✅ Offer your dog a stuffed Kong or long-lasting chew
✅ Let them come to you for comfort if they want — there’s a myth that comforting a scared dog “reinforces the fear.” This isn’t true. If your dog wants cuddles, give them cuddles
✅ Let them hide if they prefer — don’t force them out
✅ Keep the room well-lit to minimise the effect of flashes

Don’t:

❌ Take your dog outside “to see it’s not so bad”
❌ Leave them alone
❌ Punish barking, whining, or hiding
❌ Force them to eat if they won’t
❌ Set off sparklers or fireworks yourself (obviously)

Calming Music & Playlists

These really do help:

Battersea’s Calming Classical playlist — specifically curated by animal behaviour experts
Classic FM’s Pet Classics — they broadcast calming programming during fireworks season
“Through a Dog’s Ear” — research-based psychoacoustic music for dogs (available on Spotify/Apple Music)

Play at a comfortable volume — loud enough to partially mask the bangs, but not so loud it adds to the stress.

When to See Your Vet

If your dog’s firework phobia is severe — they injure themselves trying to escape, won’t eat for days, or show extreme distress — talk to your vet. Options include:

Prescription medication (Sileo is commonly prescribed for noise phobia in the UK)
Referral to a certified behaviourist (ABTC-registered)
Combination therapy (medication + desensitisation programme)

Don’t wait until fireworks season to book. Vets get very busy in October. Book a “pre-fireworks” consultation in September if your dog has a history of severe reactions.

Long-Term Solutions

Professional Desensitisation

For dogs with severe phobia, a qualified behaviourist can create a tailored desensitisation programme. Look for:

ABTC-registered (Animal Behaviour and Training Council)
APBC members (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors)
Many offer remote consultations — expect to pay £100-250 for an initial session

Dogs Trust “Sounds Scary” Programme

This is completely free and available on the Dogs Trust website:

Downloadable sound files (fireworks, thunder, loud bangs)
Step-by-step training guide
Takes 6-8 weeks minimum
Best started in spring/summer

Consider the Bigger Picture

If your dog is anxious about fireworks, they may also struggle with:

Thunderstorms
Traffic noise
Construction sounds
Gunshots (relevant if you live near rural areas)

A general noise desensitisation programme addresses all of these at once.

Breed Considerations

Some breeds are more prone to noise sensitivity:

Border Collies and other herding breeds
German Shepherds
Labrador Retrievers (yes, even “bomb-proof” Labs can be noise-sensitive)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Whippets and Greyhounds

Rescue dogs and dogs with limited socialisation as puppies may also be more affected. But any dog, any breed, any age can develop firework phobia.

A Note on Firework Laws in the UK

Current UK law:

Fireworks cannot be set off between 11pm and 7am (except Bonfire Night: midnight, New Year/Diwali/Chinese New Year: 1am)
Maximum noise level for consumer fireworks: 120 decibels
It’s illegal to set off fireworks in the street or public place
Under 18s cannot buy fireworks

Campaigning for change: The RSPCA and many animal charities are pushing for stricter regulations, including mandatory “quiet fireworks” and advanced notice requirements. Visit rspca.org.uk/fireworks to support the campaign.

Your Fireworks Prep Checklist

Print this out and stick it on your fridge:

8 weeks before: Start sound desensitisation training
6 weeks before: Begin calming supplements (YuMOVE or similar)
4 weeks before: Set up safe space, let your dog get used to it
2 weeks before: Plug in ADAPTIL diffuser
1 week before: Check microchip details are up to date
Day of: Walk during daylight, close curtains before dusk
Evening: Music on, ThunderShirt on, Kong ready, safe space open
During: Stay calm, be present, let your dog cope their way

Final Thoughts

Firework phobia isn’t something your dog will “grow out of.” In fact, without intervention, it typically gets worse each year as negative associations build up. But the good news is that with the right combination of preparation, products, and patience, you can make a genuine difference.

Start early, stay consistent, and remember — you know your dog best. What works for one might not work for another, so don’t be afraid to try different approaches until you find the right combination.

Your dog is counting on you to make fireworks season bearable. With this guide, you’ve got everything you need to do exactly that. 🐾

Got a question about keeping your dog calm during fireworks? Drop us a comment below, or check out our other guides on dog anxiety and seasonal pet care.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in.

SEO Notes (for Rob — delete before publishing)

Primary: “how to keep dog calm during fireworks” / “dogs and fireworks UK”
Secondary: “best calming products for dogs fireworks” / “dog firework anxiety”
Long-tail: “how to help dog with firework phobia UK” / “ADAPTIL for fireworks”

Internal linking opportunities:

Link to senior dog care guide (older dogs may be more sensitive)
Link to joint supplements guide (YuMOVE crossover)
Link to dog insurance guide (cover for behavioural treatment)

Affiliate opportunities:

Amazon Associates: ADAPTIL, ThunderShirt, YuMOVE, Kong, snuffle mats
Direct: Adaptil.co.uk, YuMOVE referral programme
Pet insurance: Some policies cover behavioural treatment

Publishing timing: Best to publish in August/September for SEO — gives Google time to index before fireworks season. But evergreen enough to publish any time (people search year-round after bad experiences).

Featured snippet opportunity: The checklist section is formatted perfectly for Google’s featured snippets. Consider adding schema markup.