Millions of pets, horses and livestock face months of severe distress and the risk of physical injury as the UK enters the long fireworks season warn vets.
Ahead of Bonfire Night, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) warns that whilst traditional celebrations are good for people, they can cause acute anxiety and panic-induced accidents in animals unless owners take early, preventative action.
Signs of fireworks-related distress can vary from animal to animal. While many dogs show obvious signs of fireworks-related anxiety, such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness and toileting in the house. Cats often hide, while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet. Poultry are especially at risk of ‘smother’, where in a fear response birds huddle together, which can result in death for some.
Each year, vets across the UK see hundreds of animals with firework-related injuries. By far the most commonly reported cases are self injuries caused by fireworks-related anxiety, such as tooth injuries to dogs from chewing furniture or fractures in horses that had bolted from their fields. The debris and remnants of fireworks and paper lanterns in fields and surrounding countryside can also pose a serious risk of injury to livestock, wildlife and zoo animals.
British Veterinary Association President Dr Gwen Rees FRCVS said:
“Fireworks displays might be fun for people, but can be extremely traumatic for pets, wildlife, and farm animals. While we often worry about burns or swallowed debris, vets actually treat a huge number of injuries caused purely by panic and stress. Whilst we don’t always have control over when and where fireworks are set off, there are simple steps you can take around the house now to help, such as creating a den for dogs and cats, to keep them safe and calm when fireworks start. Make sure your pets are microchipped with up-to-date details in case of escape.
“If your pet gets significantly distressed by fireworks, you should contact your vet now to discuss noise desensitisation techniques, pheromone products and other potential treatments options. Longer-term treatment can be successful with professional input and owner commitment and patience.”
BVA suggests ten top tips to help pet owners and livestock keepers prepare animals as fireworks season approaches.
1. Talk to your vet to discuss treatment options for fireworks-induced stress. This may include drugs to help dogs with noise phobias or pheromone products to apply next to your pets’ den and around the house to keep them calm.
2. Create a well-padded den for your pet to access ahead of fireworks season so they have a safe place to hide when fireworks start.
3. Ensure your pet is microchipped and your details are up to date on the database, in case it runs away from home.
4. Move small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs to a quiet place indoors.
5. Close windows and curtains and provide background noise to help mask the fireworks.
6. If your pet is distressed, remain calm yourself. Restlessness or toileting in the house can be signs of stress, so don’t punish them.
7. Keep livestock housed at times when fireworks are likely to be set off locally and remove any firework debris from grazing pasture before letting them out.
8. Horses may be better turned out in a field than stabled, as in a stable they may feel enclosed and unable to move. Owners should consult a qualified equine behaviourist if they have significant concerns about their horse’s response to fireworks.
9. If you’re hosting a fireworks display, avoid setting them off near horses, livestock or companion animals. Dispose of any debris and remnants of fireworks responsibly.
10. Before lighting a bonfire, remember to check for any wild animals that may be hiding in it.
Current controls on the use and sale of fireworks don’t go far enough to protect the health and welfare of animals in the UK. Easy access to fireworks is putting the UK’s animals at risk of avoidable pain, suffering, and fear. BVA is a member of the Fireworks Impact Coalition which is holding an event in the Houses of Parliament on 4 November 2026 to raise awareness of the impact of fireworks on people and animals and to call for stricter regulations on fireworks.
See BVA’s recommendations on firework controls: https://www.bva.co.uk/take-