Woodgreen and Pooch & Mutt team up to share urgent fireworks advice

The loud bangs and shrill screeches that come with the firework season can be highly distressing for dogs, with many bolting from their homes in panic and ending up in shelters in the days and weeks that follow. In fact, The Kennel Club reports an 81% increase in missing dogs during the weeks that host Diwali and Bonfire night.

Pooch & Mutt’s charity partner, Woodgreen Pets Charity, reports an increase in enquiries this time of year as owners seek support ahead of the firework season.

Britt Rosendahl, dog behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen comments: “The lead up to Christmas is always a busy time for us – fireworks, colder weather and financial pressures all play a part. We often get reports of dogs running off, slipping their leads or escaping the garden after being spooked by fireworks as well as enquiries from owners seeking advice on managing firework related anxieties. We’re prepared to see an increase of stray dogs at the center as we enter November, usually around two a day for the next couple of weeks sadly.”

To help prepare, pet owners are urged to take extra care this fireworks season, with practical tips and natural calming solutions to help keep dogs feeling safe and settled. Resident Pooch & Mutt vet Dr Linda Simon shares her advice:

Create a safe den: Prepare a quiet, cozy space indoors where your dog feels secure that they can retreat to when the noise starts. Choose a familiar room and add blankets, their favourite toy, and familiar scents to help them settle.

Muffle the noise: Keep windows and curtains closed to soften the outside sounds and reduce flashing lights. Playing gentle background music, TV or a white-noise playlist can help distract them and create a more soothing atmosphere.

Keep calm yourself: Dogs pick up on our emotions. If you stay calm and reassured, they’re more likely to feel safe too. Avoid over-comforting though, as this can make some dogs feel uneasy when they are scared, instead, stay present, reassuring and composed.

Use natural calming support: For particularly anxious dogs, introducing natural calming supplements or treats in the run up to fireworks can make a noticeable difference.

“If a dog is stressed by fireworks, it’s crucial their owners address it as soon as possible. Fireworks can create lasting anxiety because of how a dog’s brain forms fear associations. The unexpected loud bangs, vibrations and flashes are difficult for dogs to interpret as non-threatening, and even a single traumatic experience can link loud noises with danger – creating a lasting phobia,” said Woodgreen’s Britt.

“If left untreated, firework phobia can develop into chronic noise sensitivity or generalised anxiety disorder, which can cause emotional distress, reluctance to venture outdoors and reacting to smaller noises such as slamming doors or car alarms.”

Pooch & Mutt and Woodgreen Pets Charity are encouraging all owners to:

• Plan for the fireworks season with calming products and safe spaces.
• Keep dogs indoors where possible.
• Consider a pet tracker and ensure microchip details are up to date.
• If you do come across a stray dog (or cat), remain calm and approach slowly, speaking in a soothing tone. Check for a collar and take to a vet or local shelter to be scanned for a microchip.
• Consider adopting or fostering a rescue dog, especially in the weeks following Bonfire Night when shelters are at capacity.