Firework anxiety
Sinterklaas, Christmas and New Year’s Eve: for us, this is a time of joy and celebration – with visitors, music, presents, Christmas trees and delicious scents. For many dogs, however, this season is anything but festive. Especially New Year’s Eve can be a stressful and unpleasant time.
Read here how you can help your dog get through these days with as little stress as possible.
What is firework anxiety?
Firework anxiety is a hypersensitivity to loud noises, in this case fireworks. However, it can also occur with other loud sounds, such as thunderstorms. Dogs can become very anxious and may show a variety of signs, such as:
- a low body posture and/or tail tucked between the legs
- whining, whimpering, or barking
- trembling
- freezing (becoming immobile)
- hiding
- pacing (restlessly walking back and forth)
- aggressive reactions
- involuntary urination
Why do dogs suffer from firework anxiety?
Firework anxiety in dogs can have several causes. One important factor is genetic predisposition: sensitivity to loud noises can be inherited. Dogs often perceive sudden loud sounds as a threatening situation.
In addition, firework anxiety may develop after a negative experience with fireworks or other loud noises. Such an experience can leave a lasting impression, causing the dog to develop a trauma and associate loud sounds with danger, leading to fearful reactions.
The owner’s behavior can also play a role. When a dog shows fear and is then comforted, rewarded, or given extra attention, the dog may learn that being afraid of fireworks is “appropriate.” In this way, the fear is unintentionally reinforced, as the dog links the anxious behavior to positive attention.
When to start addressing firework anxiety?
To prevent firework anxiety, we recommend starting training at the youngest possible age, ideally when your dog is still a puppy. This allows your dog to get used to loud noises early on and helps prevent fear from developing later in life.
If your dog already suffers from firework anxiety and you want to ensure he or she remains as relaxed as possible during the holidays, it is important to start in time. You can support your dog with supplements or training programs. Our advice is to begin at least six weeks before the holiday season.
How can you help your dog?
Sound training
The best way to help your dog is to train them to be less afraid of fireworks. It may seem excessive to go through a full training program for firework anxiety, since the problem only occurs temporarily. However, by helping your dog perceive the sounds as normal, you can prevent the fear from developing. Firework anxiety – or anxiety toward loud noises in general – can worsen as dogs get older, so it is best to start as early as possible.
You can help your dog get used to firework sounds using audio recordings of fireworks. These are available on CDs, but you can also find them online, for example on YouTube. It is important to start early, as this method takes time to be effective.
Play the recording at a very low volume so your dog does not react, and engage your dog with play, petting, or treats. Gradually increase the volume, but never so loud that your dog becomes scared. If your dog shows signs of fear during training, this means the training is too difficult. In that case, go back a few steps and rebuild the training using smaller increments. You can give your dog a treat after the training session as a reward. Repeat this training daily leading up to New Year’s Eve.
Do not punish your dog
Whatever training method you use, never punish your pet for showing fearful behavior! This will only make the situation worse and can actually increase their fear. Comforting your dog, on the other hand, is very important, preferably through physical contact. However, do not give treats in response to fearful behavior, as this may unintentionally reinforce the fear.
For more information about behavior (problems), you can contact our specialist, Caitlyn Immerzeel.
Supplements
There are several supplements available that can help support your pet with firework anxiety.
Zylkene is a dietary supplement that contains alpha-casozepine. This substance has a calming effect similar to Valium, but it is not sedating. It can be given 1–2 days before a stressful event, such as a move, a long trip, or a stay at a boarding facility. For pets experiencing long-term stress (for example, due to firework anxiety), effects can be expected after approximately 1–2 weeks. For animals that already become stressed at the first firework sounds, it is recommended to start giving Zylkene 1 month to 2 weeks before New Year’s Eve, so that the medication is effective when the first fireworks are set off (sometimes even weeks in advance).
Prevantil is a supplement based on prickly pear cactus. It acts on the fear receptors in the brain, helping to reduce anxiety and making the dog less fearful.
Unfortunately, it is never possible to predict in advance which supplement your dog will respond to best. For more guidance or information, it is best to consult the assistants at our clinics.
Medication: calming agents
A medication that was commonly used in the past is acepromazine (Vetranquil). However, this drug can have the opposite effect. It may make your pet more sensitive to sounds. Although your pet may appear calm, they are too sedated to run or tremble, while the underlying fear is still present and can even worsen. For this reason, we strongly advise against using this medication.
A better alternative is Sileo. Sileo is a newer medication for dogs that can be used to manage acute stress and anxiety caused by noise, such as firework anxiety. The active ingredient is dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine works at a very low dose and does not act as a sedative but purely as an anxiolytic. Animals remain fully functional and are not sedated, which is a significant advantage over medications that cause muscle relaxation.
Another option that can be used for both cats and dogs is Alprazolam. Alprazolam is part of the Valium family, but primarily reduces anxiety while causing less sedation. This is a very safe medication that can be used on the day of severe anxiety if needed. Please note that in order for us to prescribe this medication for your pet, we are legally required to have seen your pet for a consultation first.
Tips for firework anxiety
- Tip 1: On New Year’s Eve, walk your dog on a leash before 10:00 PM and make sure all windows and doors are closed.
- Tip 2: If you have done firework training, continue the same activities starting around 11:55 PM (for example, playing, cuddling, or giving treats).
- Tip 3: Delay your dog’s dinner until later in the evening. When pets are hungry, they are less focused on the fireworks. Offering a new toy can also help distract them from the noise.
- Tip 4: Create safe spaces and let your dog choose a place in the house where they feel comfortable.
- Tip 5: Close the curtains, keep lights on, and turn on the radio or TV; this helps mask the outside stimuli.
- Tip 6: Ensure your pet is microchipped and registered, and if possible, wears a tag with your phone number. If your pet accidentally escapes, this makes it easier to be found quickly.
Would you like more information about firework anxiety? Please feel free to contact us.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season!
