Fireworks and Dogs: The Science of Fear and How to Help

Written by The Stylish Dog Company.

Last updated 25 October 2026. Guidance from PDSA, Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, Battersea and The Kennel Club, and published research on noise fear in dogs. About an 18 minute read.

Fireworks and dogs are a bad mix in a lot of homes, and the research backs that up: in one large survey, 52% of dogs were at least partly affected by fear of fireworks. Dogs hear far more than we do, and fireworks are loud, sudden and impossible to predict, so the fear makes sense. You can help on the night by walking before dark, shutting out the noise and flashes, letting your dog hide where they choose and comforting them calmly if they come to you. In the longer term, slow sound training and a chat with your vet can make the next season easier.

In brief

Fear of fireworks is common. A 2019 study found 52% of the 1,225 dogs in its sample were at least partially affected, and most developed the fear in their first year of life.
Owners often miss it. In a University of Bristol study, almost half of owners interviewed described at least one sign of fear around noises, but only a quarter had called their dog fearful.
Dogs can hear sounds four times further away than we can, and at much higher frequencies, which is part of why fireworks hit them so hard.
On the night: walk in daylight, close curtains, put the TV or music on, stay home, and let your dog hide where they feel safe.
UK charities including Dogs Trust, PDSA and The Kennel Club say it is fine to comfort a frightened dog who comes to you. Stay calm and do not tell them off.
Fear that is left alone tends to get worse. Gradual sound training and your vet are the long-term answer, and the evidence for pheromone plug-ins is mixed.

Jump to a section

How common is fear of fireworks in dogs?
Why do fireworks frighten dogs so much?
What are the signs a dog is scared of fireworks?
How can you help your dog on fireworks night?
Should you comfort a scared dog?
How do you make a safe den for fireworks?
Can you stop a dog being scared of fireworks?
When should you see the vet?
Is your dog’s microchip up to date?
Key takeaways
Frequently asked questions
Sources and further reading

This year Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November 2026. But fireworks are rarely a one-night thing. Dogs Trust points out that they are unlikely to be limited to a single evening, and many of us hear them on and off for weeks around the fifth, then again at New Year. So it is worth having a plan that works for the whole season, not just the fifth.

How common is fear of fireworks in dogs?

Very. If your dog hates fireworks, you are in good company, and several studies have tried to put a number on it.

University of Bristol, 2013. Researchers ran a postal survey of 3,897 dog owners and then interviewed 383 of them in more detail. Almost half of the interviewed owners said their dog showed at least one behavioural sign of fear around noises, even though only a quarter had described their dog as fearful in the survey. Fireworks were the noise owners most often linked with fear.
Riemer, 2019. An online survey covering 1,225 dogs found that 52% were at least partially affected by firework fears. Most of those dogs developed the fear in their first year of life. New cases became less common up to about seven years old, and few dogs started being afraid after that.
New Zealand, 2010. A survey of owners covering 3,527 dogs and cats found that 46% of the animals showed a fear of fireworks their owners could recognise, and dog owners reported a stronger fear response than cat owners.
PDSA’s PAW Report. 41% of dog owners told PDSA their dog is afraid of fireworks, which PDSA puts at 4.1 million dogs across the UK.

The gap in the Bristol study is the part we find most useful. Plenty of owners notice their dog trembling or hiding and do not think of it as fear. The researchers suggested that even when owners see the behaviour, they may not read it as their dog feeling frightened. So if you are not sure whether your dog is scared, the signs further down are worth a proper look.

Fireworks also rarely come alone. The Bristol team found that fear of fireworks, gunshots and thunder often go together, which suggests a fear of one loud noise tends to spread to others. Riemer’s 2019 study found the same strong link between those three.

Why do fireworks frighten dogs so much?

Their hearing is much better than ours

The RSPCA and The Kennel Club both say dogs can hear sounds four times further away than we can, and at much higher frequencies. A display that sounds distant to you can be loud and close to your dog. PDSA makes the same point: what feels like a quiet, far-off noise to us can be loud and scary for a dog.

Fireworks are sudden and unpredictable

The Kennel Club describes it well. With bangs going off from several displays at once, dogs can rarely work out where the noise is coming from. They do not know what it is, where it came from, or when the next one will be. Add the flashes of light and the strong smell of spent fireworks, and it is not hard to see why a dog would want to run or hide.

Fear is a survival response

A loud bang out of nowhere is exactly what a dog’s survival instincts are built to react to. The Kennel Club notes that loud, unexpected noises can trigger a fight or flight response, and that how a dog reacts depends a lot on their personality and past experience.

Why it can get worse each year

You might hope a dog would simply get used to fireworks. Some do. But a frightening experience can also make the next one more frightening, which behaviourists call sensitisation. The Kennel Club says that if a dog has been scared by fireworks once, chances are they will remember it and be scared again. PDSA says an untreated noise phobia is likely to get worse with time. Riemer’s 2019 study found that both improvement and worsening were common, which is why the title of the paper calls it “not a one-way road”. That is the real case for acting early.

Genes and early life play a part too. Riemer’s study suggested a strong genetic contribution, and found that mixed breeds were the most affected group. The Bristol study found that dogs still living with the person who bred them were at lower risk than dogs bought from a breeder by a new owner, which points to early experience mattering.

What are the signs a dog is scared of fireworks?

Some dogs make it very obvious. Others just go quiet. PDSA, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA list signs including:

Trembling or shaking
Panting, drooling or lip licking
Barking, whining or crying
Pacing and not being able to settle
Hiding, cowering or trying to get behind furniture
Being clingy and staying close to you
Tail tucked between the legs
Trying to run away
Toileting in the house
Chewing or destructive behaviour
Refusing food
Excessive yawning

PDSA adds that some dogs only show small changes in their normal behaviour, so it helps to know what your dog is like on an ordinary evening. Dogs Trust also notes that some of these signs can point to a health problem, so speak to your vet if anything worries you.

How can you help your dog on fireworks night?

The advice from PDSA, Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, Battersea and The Kennel Club is remarkably consistent. These are the steps they all come back to.

Walk before dark

Get a good long walk in while it is still light and be home well before the fireworks are likely to start. PDSA suggests a walk with plenty of time to sniff, which tires your dog and helps them relax. The Kennel Club says to feed your dog before the fireworks too, because once they start your dog may be too anxious to eat.

The clocks went back an hour on Sunday 25 October 2026. With the UK back on Greenwich Mean Time there is less daylight in the evenings, so the after-work walk that was in daylight last week is now likely to be in the dark. If you can, move the main walk earlier for the next few weeks.

Shut out the noise and the flashes

Close windows and curtains before dark and leave the lights on, so the flashes are less obvious. Put the TV or radio on, or some music. PDSA says classical music can work well, or something with a deep bass to help cover the bangs, at a volume your dog is comfortable with. The Kennel Club suggests a washing machine or tumble dryer, as the vibration can help mask the noise too.

Stay home, and keep things normal

Dogs Trust says to stay with your dog, because they could panic if left alone, and to try to stay calm and relaxed yourself, as your dog will pick up on how you are feeling. Battersea says to behave as normally as possible: the more you change your behaviour, the more anxious your dog may become.

Let them choose where to be

If your dog wants to hide, let them. The RSPCA says to let a frightened dog pace or hide and not to coax them out, because they are trying to find safety. Battersea advises against shutting a dog in one room, as they may hurt themselves trying to get out, and says to give them options so they can choose where to hide.

Toilet trips on a lead

Wait for a gap in the fireworks, keep it quick and keep your dog on a lead, even in your own garden. PDSA says it is common for dogs to bolt from their garden after being startled. Check doors, windows, fences and gates before the evening starts.

Never tell them off

Every charity says the same thing: do not punish or shout at a scared dog, even if they have chewed something or had an accident. The RSPCA says dogs cannot help their sensitivity to sound or their fear, and reacting badly will only make things worse.

A few things to avoid

Do not take your dog to a fireworks display, even if they seem fine. The RSPCA and The Kennel Club both advise against it.
Do not tie your dog up outside a shop or leave them in the car while fireworks are going off.

Battersea notes that it is against the law to set off fireworks after 11pm for most of the year, and that on Bonfire Night the cut-off is midnight. So the last toilet trip can usually wait until it has gone quiet.

Should you comfort a scared dog?

Yes, if they come to you. This is where the advice has changed. You may have heard that comforting a frightened dog “rewards” the fear. Current UK charity advice says otherwise.

Dogs Trust says that if your dog seeks reassurance, you should calmly give them attention and comfort, and that research shows ignoring them will not help.
PDSA calls it a myth that you should ignore a scared dog. It says some dogs prefer to be left alone, but most benefit from comfort.
The Kennel Club says that if your dog comes to you for comfort, you should give it, and that ignoring them would only make things worse because they would not understand why you had withdrawn.

The science is not completely tidy here, and it is fair to say so. A 2010 survey of owners in New Zealand found that owners who comforted their animals reported more severe and longer-lasting fear over time. The authors suggested this might mean comforting had a negative effect. But that is an association reported by owners, not a trial, and it could also be that the most frightened dogs simply got the most comforting.

The way the charities square this is about how you comfort. Battersea cautions against following your dog around or being overly affectionate, because a big change in your behaviour can make a dog more anxious. So be calm, quiet and steady. Stroke them if they want it, speak softly, and let them lean on you. If they would rather be on their own, let them be.

How do you make a safe den for fireworks?

A den gives your dog a place to go that already feels safe, before the bangs start. PDSA, the RSPCA and The Kennel Club all recommend one. Here is how they suggest setting it up.

Put it where your dog already goes when worried. PDSA suggests behind the sofa, under a table, in a crate or in a large, safe, empty cupboard. The Kennel Club suggests a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.
Set it up a few weeks before. PDSA says to make it a few weeks before fireworks season and give treats and praise when your dog goes in, so it becomes a nice place to be.
Make it enclosed and soft. Drape blankets over it and fill it with their bed, cushions, favourite toys and something that smells of you. The Kennel Club suggests a thick duvet over the top to help muffle the sound, secured so it cannot fall on your dog.
Keep water close by, and keep the den open to them at all times, including when you are out.
Never shut them in or force them in. Battersea says to leave a crate open, as locking a dog in can be even more stressful. And never pull them out once they are settled.

PDSA also says not to be disheartened if your dog ignores the den and hides somewhere else. That is fine. The point is that they get to choose.

Whatever you use as the base, a bed with raised sides suits a den well. The walls give your dog something to curl into and press against, and a bed they already sleep in will already smell of home. If you are looking for one, our bolster dog beds have soft, high sides to lean on, and most have covers that come off for the wash. A bed will not cure a fear of fireworks, but a familiar, cosy place to hide is part of what every charity recommends.

Can you stop a dog being scared of fireworks?

Often you can make a real difference, but it takes time. The method the charities recommend has two parts.

Desensitisation

You play recordings of fireworks at home, starting so quietly you can barely hear them, and raise the volume very slowly over many sessions. If your dog reacts at all, you stop and go back to a lower volume next time. The aim is for your dog to hear the sound without becoming frightened.

Counter-conditioning

Once your dog is relaxed with the sounds, you pair them with something good, such as food or a game. PDSA describes playing the sound, giving a treat straight away, and turning the sound off as soon as the treat is finished. Over time your dog starts to link the noise with good things.

The research supports this. In Riemer’s 2020 survey of owners about what had worked, counter-conditioning (giving something your dog loves after the noise) was rated the most successful training technique, at over 70%, with relaxation training close behind at 69%. Noise CDs were reported as effective in 55% of cases. Riemer’s 2019 study found that training puppies, or adult dogs who are not yet frightened, to link the noise with good things was highly effective at preventing firework fear developing.

Start now, but do not rush

PDSA says to allow several months and to be patient and consistent. If Bonfire Night is days away, it is too late to finish before then, but it is not too late to start for New Year or next autumn. Going too fast can make things worse, which is why PDSA says to take your dog back a step if they seem worried at any point.

Dogs Trust has sound therapy recordings you can play online, each with a how-to guide, developed by two vets who specialise in pet behaviour. Sounds Scary is designed to help dogs with distressing noises such as fireworks, and the RSPCA recommends it too. There is also Sounds Sociable for puppies. PDSA’s noise phobia guidance says desensitisation should always be done with guidance from a vet, vet nurse or accredited behaviourist. If your dog is frightened even at a very low volume, get that help before going any further.

Puppies

If you have a young puppy, this is the best time of all. PDSA says the same steps can be used to get puppies used to firework sounds during their socialisation period, which it gives as 4 to 12 weeks old. Dogs Trust says puppies safely and gradually introduced to lots of experiences, including loud noises, between three and 16 weeks are often able to cope better with sounds like fireworks later on. Keep it gentle: a puppy who is frightened the first time they hear the noise can still develop a fear.

When should you see the vet?

This is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, ask your own vet. Never give your dog any medication that has not been prescribed for them by a vet, including human medicines.

Dogs Trust says to speak to your vet as soon as possible if your dog shows signs of fear of fireworks. Your vet can check for any medical problems adding to the fear, refer you to a behaviourist and talk to you about other treatments. There are a few situations where it really matters:

Your dog has suddenly become scared. PDSA says a dog who suddenly becomes fearful of fireworks may need a check-up to make sure pain or illness is not the cause. It also notes that pain can make some dogs sensitive to noise. Riemer’s 2019 study found that health problems were linked with firework fear.
The fear is severe. Shaking, drooling, trying to escape, pacing and destructive behaviour are all signs of a severe noise phobia, according to PDSA.
You have tried the steps above and your dog is still very frightened.

Medication

For dogs who are very frightened, your vet may be able to prescribe medication. Go early. PDSA says to speak to your vet well before fireworks season so there is time to find the right medicine for your dog, and Dogs Trust says many need to be given before the fireworks start. In Riemer’s 2020 survey, 69% of owners whose dogs had prescription medication noticed an improvement. Battersea adds that medication should always go alongside a behaviour plan, not replace one.

Pheromone plug-ins, supplements and calming products

Here the honest answer is that the evidence is mixed. Pheromone diffusers, collars and sprays are suggested by PDSA and the RSPCA, and some owners swear by them. But in Riemer’s 2020 survey, owners reported success rates of only 27 to 35% for pheromones, herbal products, nutraceuticals, essential oils, homeopathic remedies and Bach flowers. The author noted that this is not higher than you would expect from a placebo effect. Pressure vests were rated effective by 44%.

PDSA says calming supplements are usually only helpful for mild noise phobias, and that some contain ingredients that can interfere with prescribed medicines, so check with your vet or behaviourist first. If you try any of these, use them alongside the other steps, not instead of them.

Is your dog’s microchip up to date?

Do this today, before the fireworks get going. Dogs bolt when they are frightened, and a microchip only gets them home if the details on it are right.

The Kennel Club found that 81% more dogs were reported missing to its Petlog database in the two weeks of November 2023 that included Bonfire Night and Diwali, compared with the two weeks before. In the same research, 13% of owners said their dog had tried to run away during fireworks.

By law, all dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by the time they are eight weeks old, and you are responsible for keeping the details up to date, for example if you move house or change your phone number. You update them by contacting the database your dog is registered with. Your dog must also wear a collar and tag with your name and address in a public place.

Key takeaways

Studies suggest close to half of dogs show fear of fireworks or other loud noises, and many owners do not recognise the quieter signs.
Walk in daylight, feed early, close the curtains, put on background noise and stay home on the big nights.
Let your dog hide where they choose, and calmly comfort them if they come to you. Never punish a scared dog.
Gradual desensitisation and counter-conditioning work best when started months ahead, and best of all in puppies.
See your vet early for severe or sudden fear, and check your dog’s microchip details now.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calm my dog during fireworks?

Walk and feed your dog before dark, then close the windows and curtains, leave the lights on and play the TV or music to mask the bangs. Stay at home, keep your routine as normal as you can and let your dog hide wherever they feel safe. A long-lasting chew or a food-stuffed toy can help if they are not too worried to eat.

Is it OK to comfort my dog during fireworks?

Yes. Dogs Trust, PDSA and The Kennel Club all say to comfort a frightened dog if they come to you, and Dogs Trust says research shows ignoring them will not help. Keep it calm and quiet rather than fussing, and if your dog would rather be alone, let them.

Should I let my dog hide during fireworks?

Yes. Hiding is how many dogs cope, and the RSPCA says not to coax them out because they are trying to find safety. Give them access to a den or quiet space at all times, never shut them in, and do not pull them out once they are settled.

When should I start preparing my dog for fireworks?

As early as you can. PDSA says sound training needs several months, and a den is best set up a few weeks before fireworks season so your dog gets used to it. If Bonfire Night is close, focus on the night itself, then start sound training for New Year and next year.

Do calming plug-ins work for dogs scared of fireworks?

The evidence is mixed. Some vets and charities suggest pheromone diffusers, but in a 2020 survey of owners, pheromones and other alternative products were reported as working in only 27 to 35% of cases, which the researcher said is not higher than a placebo effect would explain. If you use one, use it alongside sound training and a safe den, and ask your vet what they recommend.

Can my vet give my dog something for fireworks?

Yes, your vet may be able to prescribe medication for a dog who is very frightened. Speak to them well before fireworks season, because finding the right medicine can take time and many need to be given before the fireworks start. Never give your dog medication that has not been prescribed for them.

What time do fireworks have to stop in the UK?

For most of the year it is against the law to set off fireworks after 11pm. On Bonfire Night the cut-off is extended to midnight. Plan your dog’s last toilet trip for once it has gone quiet, and keep them on a lead.

Why has my dog suddenly become scared of fireworks?

A sudden new fear can have a medical cause. PDSA says a dog who suddenly becomes frightened of fireworks may need a check-up to rule out pain or illness, so book in with your vet. Fear can also build after one bad experience, which is why acting early helps.