All States and Territories in Australia host annual celebrations involving fireworks. Unfortunately, many animals are terrified by firework displays which can indirectly pose risks to animal safety by causing them to take fright and try to escape the terrifying show.

Dogs and horses are particularly afraid of fireworks and many try to run away, sometimes injuring themselves in the process. Over the three days following New Year’s Eve celebrations there is up to a 400 % increase in the number of dogs arriving at our shelters.  We receive thousands of calls from distressed owners whose dogs have run away. Many of these dogs will end up several kilometres from home.  Dogs have been known to jump through plate glass windows to escape loud noises, and easily jump over, or dig their way under, fences that would normally contain them. Last New Year’s Eve one metropolitan RSPCA shelter alone received 50 reports of dogs who had injuries to their face or feet, or had been hit by cars, while trying to escape from fireworks displays.

What can I do for my dog?
Prepare early. Take your dog out for plenty of active exercise before the fireworks start, then after a couple of hours you can feed a meal. A tired and well-fed dog will be far less anxious during the night. If you can, stay home to be with your pet. Let your pet be with you Do not fuss over your pet excessively but try to engage them in normal activities. Do not soothe and comfort a scared dog, it will only increase the problem. Instead, be cheerful and in control. Encourage calm behaviour with praise and attention. Close the blinds, create a comfortable hiding place, put on some music, and distract your dog with games and food. If you have to leave the house, bring your dog indoors if possible. In times of stress animals like to be somewhere that feels safe or familiar so put your dog in a secure room in the house with some of their favourite things, or some old clothes with your scent on them. The bathroom or laundry may be ideal. Draw the blinds, block any potential exits, and put on the TV or some music to draw attention away from the noise. Make sure you leave lots of food and drink, and some toys to play with. A bone or chewable toy can be great for relieving stress. If you cannot bring your dog into the house consider putting your dog in a carrier or the garage. Dogs who panic can choke themselves on a collar or lead, so never use a choker chain or slip collar to restrain your dog.  Make sure you dog is easily identifiable in case he escapes – attach a tag with your contact details on it and make sure your dog is microchipped and that your contact details are up to date on the Australian Animal Registry.

Also ask your vet about the new options available for treating noise phobias.

What about cats, rabbits and other pets?
Cats should be kept indoors, even if they are usually outdoor pets. Most cats will find somewhere dark to hide, and the best thing is to leave them alone until they come out of their own accord.

Rabbits and other caged animals should be safely secured in a garage or outbuilding, away from the sight and sound of the fireworks. If you do not have a suitable building, try putting the cage in your laundry or covering it with thick fabric to muffle the sound making sure there is sufficient ventilation.

As with dogs, all pets should be identified so that if they do run away, you can be easily reunited. A collar (or head collar) and tag is suitable for larger animals, and any sized animal can be microchipped.

Managing livestock
Horses are particularly vulnerable to bolting when exposed to fireworks. If possible they should be securely stabled, or removed to a different location away from the fireworks display, and the risk of physical harm minimised. Remove any sharp objects that might injure a panicking animal, cover stable windows to hide the sight of the fireworks and dim the noise, and make sure you supply plenty of food and water.

Can I stop my pet being afraid?
Not all pets are afraid of fireworks. Sometimes those that are can be desensitised by training, and the same method can be used to train puppies to tolerate fireworks from an early age. Desensitisation works by regularly exposing animals to the kind of sounds that frighten them. Start very quietly. Play a tape recording or sound effects CD just loud enough that you notice some irritation such as ear-twitching. Attract your dog’s attention. Act as if everything is normal, and reward calm behaviour with praise and attention. Keep this up for around 20 minutes at a time, and try to leave the sounds on for a few minutes after you leave the room. Repeat the process on a weekly basis, gradually increasing the volume over the course of a few months. You will need to allow three to six months in advance to complete this kind of training, and with some dogs will need to continue it indefinitely or they will become sensitive again in between fireworks displays.

Alternatively, if you plan to keep your dogs inside during fireworks displays try to familiarise them with the room you’ll be keeping them in. Play with them, give them treats, keep some favourite items there, and generally try to create a positive association with that room. You might want to try putting your pet in their safe room when you go out on other occasions so that they can become familiar with it, and used to being left alone there. Never lock your pets in this room as a form of punishment. It is essential that it should have no negative associations, but should be a safe familiar place. That way they will feel more secure when you put them there during a frightening event like a fireworks display.

Phobias
Unfortunately for some pets the fear of fireworks is completely overwhelming. When pets have this kind of abnormal and excessive fear it may feel like there is nothing you can do to calm them down. If your pet suffers from an unmanageable phobia of fireworks and is at risk of injuring itself or escaping in a panic, make an appointment with your vet well before the date of the fireworks display. Your vet can give you advice regarding behavioural therapy and other new treatment options.

Some dates to watch out for:

Australian Capital Territory
Queen’s birthday long weekend
FM104.7 Skyfire
Duration of the Canberra Show
Summernats Festival
New Year’s Eve

New South Wales
Duration of the Sydney Royal Easter Show
New Year’s Eve

Northern Territory
July 1^st
New Year’s Eve

Queensland
New Year’s Eve.

South Australia
New Year’s Eve.

Tasmania
Regatta night
New Year’s Eve

Victoria
Fox FM Australia Day Fireworks Display
The Moomba Festival
Duration of the Royal Melbourne Show
New Year’s Eve 

Western Australia
New Year’s Eve