Remember, remember, the 5th of November… well for many of us it’s really not a date we can forget!
Lots of dogs can find fireworks really scary, but even if they’re usually okay Bonfire Night can still be a tricky one to manage - and it brings its own risks to even the calmest of pups.
Why do some dogs struggle on Bonfire Night?
Sensory Overload:
Fireworks are loud, and dogs have incredibly sensitive hearing - they can hear a much wider range of frequencies than humans, and are able to detect higher frequency sounds at lower volumes than we can. This means that our pups can hear high-pitched sounds like beeps, whistles, and the ‘wheeee’ of a rocket going up much better than us - even when they’re quieter.
Fireworks are unpredictable, and the flashing lights can be scary and disorienting - especially when they happen close by.
If being loud, bright and unpredictable isn’t enough to confuse or upset our pups, fireworks also really smell! Dog’s noses are remarkable, and their sense of smell can be up to 100 times better than ours - so that smokey, sulphurous smell that’s such a familiar part of Bonfire Night can be very unnerving and overwhelming for our pups.
Dogs don’t understand fireworks, and they don’t understand that they aren’t in danger when they hear them. Their finely tuned senses are designed to detect potential threats, and their nervous systems will respond automatically to keep them safe.
Anxiety, Health & Negative Experiences
Dogs have good memories, and can remember things that have scared them before. Sometimes, if something is really really scary, they only need to experience it once for it to have a really long-lasting impact. This can be a particular problem for young puppies who are going through very sensitive developmental periods, adolescent dogs experiencing lots of hormonal changes, and rescue dogs who may already feel quite worried about the world.
It’s been recognised that dogs who are unwell or in pain can be more sensitive to loud or unexpected sounds - this can be due to them already feeling nervous and on-edge, or because the tensing of their muscles when a noise makes them ‘jump’ can exacerbate any discomfort they’re already feeling.
Why can Bonfire Night be risky for dogs?
As we explored above, it doesn’t always take much to frighten our dogs - and even one scary experience can teach them to be afraid of something. This is especially true for dogs who may not have experienced fireworks before, or who already struggle with loud noises. The unpredictability of fireworks means it can be hard to avoid them, and if you happen to live near big displays it’s not always easy to protect your pup from the sound.
Data collected by The Kennel Club showed an 81% increase in reports of missing dogs in the weeks surrounding Bonfire Night. Fireworks can be so scary that even pups who are usually calm can panic and flee, often managing to escape from collars or harnesses, jump fences, or squeeze through gaps they wouldn’t normally attempt to access.
It’s really important to remember that a scared dog is not thinking clearly or making conscious choices - their survival instincts will kick in, and the part of their brain which can usually listen to us has to take a back seat. A dog on the run may get disoriented, especially with all of the noise and smell from the fireworks, and may not be able to find their way home.
Sadly, many dogs who are reported lost at this time of year end up injured (or worse) as they attempt to get to safety. Frightened dogs have been known to run in to traffic, on to motorways, and across railway tracks. They can get stuckbehind fences, fall down ditches, and be hurt by objects as they travel.
Fireworks and bonfires also pose their own risks. Careless handling can result in fireworks being fired towards people and animals, and the falling debris can also cause injuries.
The day after a big fireworks display can also be dangerous, with litter from fireworks and bonfires which can be steppedon or even eaten by dogs who have a tendency to scavenge.
Firework season can be fun for us humans, but many dogs can find it scary and overwhelming. They experience the world very differently to us, and they don’t understand what all the flashes, bangs and smells mean.
Does your dog struggle with fireworks? Let me know in the comments, and check out my tips on keeping your pup safe and happy on Bonfire Night 🐾