Ceva Animal Health fireworks advice

Darker nights bring winter celebrations and the fireworks that mark them. Halloween, Bonfire Night, and New Year can be stressful for our four-legged friends and the owners trying to manage their anxiety and discomfort from loud bangs and bright flashes. Animal health and behaviour expertExternal link Ceva Animal Health is helping households to navigate this period with vet-endorsed tips to support pets’ wellbeing while supporting the special bond between pets and their owners.

Ceva Animal Health believes that the consequences of fireworks-induced stress extend beyond anxious behaviour such as hiding, shaking, panting, or excessive barking. It suggests that prolonged exposure can also affect pets’ physical health, leading to increased heart rates, digestive issues, or destructive actions. 

With over 25 years of experience in the pet market, Ceva offers a range of vet-approved products designed to help ease pet anxiety. It also offers helpful hints and tips to keep your furry babies happy and healthy this fireworks season. 

Provide a safe haven

Make sure your pet always has a den or space that’s just for them, where they can relax undisturbed. Provide toys, treats, and water, as anxious pets may pant more and need to stay hydrated. Don’t wait until the day of the event; make sure your pet is comfortable and happy to use your chosen safe haven space before the loud noises start.

Plan sensible walk times

Take your dog for a walk and encourage them to go out into the garden to do their business before it gets dark, so they are not caught unaware by early fireworks. The exercise can also help them settle before the noise starts. Keep cats indoors before nightfall, as fireworks may start earlier than you expect.

Muffle the sounds as much as possible

You can mask the sounds and sight of the fireworks to some extent by keeping the curtains closed, having the TV or radio on, or playing calming background music. Make sure all doors and windows are closed to keep the noise out and the pets in, but be careful that closing internal doors doesn’t block access to their safe space. 

Adopt a positive attitude

The more stressed you seem, the more stressed your pet may be, as your pet will be attuned to how you’re feeling, so act normally to help settle anxious pets. If they hide in a corner or take refuge under a bed, leave them alone and don’t try to coax them out unless they’ve chosen an unsafe area. 

Ceva Animal Health comfortable cat

Be available for them if they need you. Some pets will want to be close to you for support, whereas others may feel more secure alone. Be guided by them. Don’t punish or scold them for any fearful behaviour, as this can contribute to their insecurity.

Seeking expert advice when necessary

If your pet has struggled in previous seasons, or you are unsure how they’ll cope, schedule a vet visit before the season begins. Your vet will check for any underlying medical issues that could affect how your pet copes with the challenge of the firework season, and discuss tailored solutions, which could include pheromone products (such as diffusers or collars), nutraceutical supplements, prescription medications, and behaviour modification plans.

“Protecting pets during fireworks season is about more than managing stress, it’s about preserving the bond between people and their animals,” says Dr Sarah Endersby MRCVS, Technical Manager for the Well-being Range in the Companion Animal Franchise of Ceva Animal Health “With the right combination of scientifically backed products and practical care, owners can help their pets feel secure, safe, and relaxed, strengthening the human-animal connection that is so central to their wellbeing.”

Sam Huff
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