How to Keep Bonfire Night Stress-Free

How to Keep Bonfire Night Stress-Free... with the ‘SPARK’ Method

With crisp autumn mornings making an appearance and many of us mentioning (say it quietly: Christmas!), we wanted to share our favourite hack for coping with the stresses of the upcoming festive season. 

It’s estimated that nearly half of the dogs in the UK are frightened of fireworks, so it’s a problem many of us face this time of year! The SPARK method ensures a holistic approach to keeping pets calm. 

SYMPTOMS

With a fear response, you’re essentially trying to reassure your pet that they are safe. Fear and distress can show themselves in many ways, including but not limited to; 

• Excessive vocalisation: whining, barking, howling, caterwauling

• Self-injurious behaviour: paw licking, over-grooming, nibbling

• Fidgeting or pacing

• Rapid breathing

• Salivating, panting, trembling

• Destructive or nesting behaviour

• Displacement behaviour: yawning, lip licking, excessive sniffing

The earlier you recognise these signs, the better.

PREPARE

In the lead-up to a stressful event, there are a few things you can do to prepare. 

Gently amend your routine. Go for walks in the morning and early evening, and limit cats to outside time during the day only. This keeps them safer and makes the change less sudden when fireworks actually begin.

Ensure your pet’s microchip and collar tags are up to date with the correct information. If your dog slips the lead in a panic, or your cat gets disorientated and loses their way, you want them to be able to get home quickly and safely. 

Make sure everyone in the household is aware of ‘escape routes’–a stressed pet might take advantage of the slip of an open door or gap in the fence.

ACTIVITY

While your pet should be physically exercised before the fireworks begin, make sure that their brain is settled too. Take a walk that has plenty of opportunities to sniff, or do some training and brain games during the day. With cats, try hiding treats in an activity feeder, or use a teaser/wand to engage their hunting instincts. 

Chews and activity toys such as Kongs are a good idea for dogs who need an outlet for their stress and can serve as a great distraction. 

Fulfilling your pet’s needs is the best way to set them up for a calm and restful evening. 

REMEDIES

Herbal remedies are not a miracle cure for stress and anxiety, but they can lend a safe and chemical-free helping hand without any drowsiness. Our calming range is bespoke, narrowed down by years of customer reviews and testing on our own team’s pets. 

Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian tablets are suitable for long- and short-term anxiety, designed to keep your pet relaxed and balanced. They are safe for daily use and have a compounding effect, so you will see the most benefit after around 3 weeks. 

If you’re unable to plan for a stressful event–say your neighbours have an early backyard firework display–try calming supplements that work instantly, such as Dorwest Valerian Compound and Pet Remedy Spray. While these will not make fear symptoms disappear or sedate your pet, they essentially “trick” the brain: when adrenaline tells them to be stressed or scared, the herbs redirect those signals to the calming receptors of the brain. 

KINDNESS

If your pet has developed a phobia of fireworks and their fear symptoms are severe, an animal behaviourist will be able to help with counterconditioning and desensitisation techniques. 

Some dogs and most cats will prefer to take themselves off somewhere quiet. We would recommend “proofing” their favourite room in the house, blocking out the light from flashes outside and using a radio or television to disguise some of the noise. Don’t shut them in, as they could injure themselves trying to escape. 

If your pet hides under the sofa, stairs, or their bed, don’t try to move or encourage them out, as it can distress them further; a nearby comforting presence is enough for most, so stay calm and reassure them with affection if they ask for it. 

Did you know that it takes around three days for your dog or cat to decompress from a stressful event? Be patient, and be aware that their behaviour and symptoms may not be limited to one evening, and could continue throughout the whole firework season. While this is very testing for us, it’s the only way our pets know to display and manage the stress they are feeling. Body language is everything, so the calmer and more compassionate we are, the more your pet will feel reassured. 

This decompression period is the perfect time to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. After a couple of days, when your dog has started to settle, try slow, quiet, or longer walks with plenty of opportunities to sniff and explore. With cats, try a gentle grooming session, a new scratcher, or a fresh valerian toy to boost their mood. 

The Brown’s team are no strangers to stress and anxiety in pets. Why not get in touch via our Online Consultation Service so we can advise which remedy might be best for you?