Every year around 5 November, animals across New Zealand are put at unnecessary risk due to the harmful effects of fireworks. Here we discuss the negative impact of fireworks on animals, people and the environment.
Fireworks are primarily used for recreation and human entertainment, despite the overwhelming evidence that they negatively impact domestic animals, wildlife and the environment.
Studies, both in New Zealand¹ and internationally² have documented the fear behaviours companion animals exhibit in response to fireworks. The sudden, unpredictable bursts of light and noise cause distress and anxiety in pets³.
Pet owners frequently report issues such as animals escaping, vocalising, trembling, urinating or defecating, and displaying destructive behaviours during fireworks displays. The negative impact on wildlife is also becoming more widely recognised, with effects that can extend far beyond what we see in our homes and neighbourhoods.
According to surveys, up to half the pet dog population react fearfully to fireworks⁵, with over 15% of fearful dogs requiring several days or longer to recover from a firework event. Sadly some dogs (3%) show changes in their behaviour for weeks or months afterwards.
For our valued pets, fireworks are associated with a range of issues including:
Increased stress and anxiety: The loud noises and bright flashes can cause significant stress for pets and wildlife. Animals may react by hiding, fleeing, or displaying signs of panic.
Increased fear and disorientation: In response to fear, animals may respond by freezing, hiding or fleeing, depending on where they are in relation to the fireworks. Many animals that are not contained, such as horses, outdoor access cats, rabbits in outdoor hutches and birds in outdoor aviaries as well as wildlife, can become disoriented by the sounds and lights, they may panic and try to escape potentially leading to collisions with structures or other animals.
Increased potential for injuries: Animals may injure themselves while trying to escape the noise or become dangerous to handle or cause injury to humans due to their fear responses. In some cases, the strength of the fear response may lead to death. In a New Zealand survey, 26% of horse owners reported increased running in response to fireworks, often associated with fence-breaking and injury⁵.
Quality of life disruption: Fireworks negatively affect an animal’s quality of life in the short and sometimes longer term, and for wildlife fireworks may disrupt their breeding and feeding patterns, particularly in birds during nesting seasons.
So what can pet owners do to help their animals get through this time?
Short-term tactics
If fireworks events are imminent, then there are some actions you can take to prepare and provide for your pets safety during the period when fireworks are available for private sale and use.
Check your animal’s identification details are up to date: Whether this is their microchip details on our New Zealand Companion Animal Register, their ID tag or collar – ensure there is a way to identify your companion animal if they go missing.
Create a safe space: Set up a comfort area in your home where your dog/cat can feel safe during fireworks. Making a cosy den using a blanket, putting the animal’s favourite toys and making use of an item of your clothing to create familiar scents will help to keep the animal feeling secure.
Stay with your animal: Make sure that you are with your pet, and you keep your own emotions steady so they are not sensing anything from you and you’re able to help keep them feeling calm and safe.
If you can, sound-proof an area of the house: Close windows and doors and use white noise machines, classical music or even air fans to help mask the sound.
Other ways to reduce anxiety: There are other options to explore which may or may not work for your animal. For example, canine thundershirts (snug-fitting garments) can provide a sense of security for some anxious dogs, although you will need to test this before you use them during the firework period. Pheromonatherapy may also be useful – this refers to synthetic pheromones to influence the behavior and emotional state of animals, particularly pets. It is assumed to have an intrinsic effect on the emotional processing of animals. Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) plug-in diffusers available through vets, and placed around the house, resulted a reported improvement in dogs’ clinical signs during firework exposure⁶. There is also a feline version available that appears to be useful for reducing stress in cats.
Move your animal temporarily if appropriate: Horse owners are usually better advised, if they can, to remove their horses to another property where they know fireworks cannot be heard, however if this is not possible there is some guidance on this site about how to prepare your horse.
Consult your vet regarding medication: If you are extremely worried about how you pet’s will cope, and your animal’s fear and anxiety is severe, consult your vet who may recommend short term medication to help your pet manage during fireworks events.
Longer-term strategies
For those pet owners who know that they are likely to experience local private firework displays in advance. These involve systematically desensitising pets to the sorts of stimuli associated with fireworks. Studies have shown that owners who spend the time preparing their dogs (and cats) when they are at a young age – will see the benefits for their animals who are less reactive to triggers such as the loud bangs associated with guns, cars back firing and loud fireworks.
However for those who’s animals have already acquired a fear response there is a need to try to modify their emotional response through a combination of behaviour modification, environmental management, and sometimes medication from the veterinarian. Effective strategies to be used to prepare and/or manage your animal’s emotional response include:
Desensitising through gradual exposure: Start by playing recordings of fireworks at a low volume when the animal is in a calm state, gradually increasing it as your dog becomes more comfortable, but never pushing the animal out of his comfort zone.
Use of positive reinforcement: Pairing the gradual introduction (low volume) of the fireworks sounds with treats, toys, or playtime to create positive associations.
You can also reach out to an accredited professional to provide advice and support for you and your animal during this time. You can see a list of those people accredited by Companion Animals New Zealand here.
Fireworks are fraught with risks for animals, causing distress, fear, and even physical harm. It’s crucial to recognise these dangers and take proactive steps to prepare ahead of time, helping to ensure your animal's well-being and safety, and allowing them to get through fireworks season with less stress and fear. Your pet depends on you to protect them—let's make sure they feel safe when the fireworks begin.
References
Dale A.R., Walker J.K., Farnworth M.J., Morrissey S.V., Waran N.K. A survey of owners' perceptions of fear of fireworks in a sample of dogs and cats in New Zealand. N. Z. Vet. J. 2010;58:286–291.
Overall K.L., Dunham A.E., Frank D. Frequency of nonspecific clinical signs in dogs with separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, and noise phobia, alone or in combination. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2001;219:467–473.
Gates, MC, Zito, S, Walker, JK, and Dale, AR (2019). Owner perceptions and management of the adverse behavioural effects of fireworks on companion animals: an update. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 67, 323–328.
Riemer, S., 2019. Not a one-way road—Severity, progression and prevention of firework fears in dogs. PLoS One, 14(9), p.e0218150.
Gronqvist, G, Rogers, C, and Gee, E (2016). The management of horses during fireworks in New Zealand. Animals 6, 20.
Sheppard, G. and Mills, D.S., 2003. Evaluation of dog‐appeasing pheromone as a potential treatment for dogs fearful of fireworks. Veterinary Record, 152(14), pp.432-436.