I asked experts how to keep pets calm on Bonfire Night - they all agreed on 1 thing

Bonfire Night 2025 is almost here, and while it's good news if you love heading out to your local fireworks display, it's not so good if you have pets. Cats and dogs can become easily spooked by the loud explosions, and it's so hard when you can't even explain to them what's going on.

They might refuse to go outside, or they might shake all over, bark constantly, or want to hide for the evening, which is really heartbreaking to see. As a dog owner myself, I was keen to find out from some experts how to keep animals calm on this incredibly stressful night of the year. And many of them came through with one very popular solution.

Most of the experts recommended using music to soothe your pet on Bonfire Night. David Martin, Group Director of Animal Welfare at IVC Evidensia says that this is an excellent distraction, but without being too overwhelming and scaring your pets even more.

He said: "Where possible, owners should try and soften loud noise from fireworks by drawing curtains, and closing windows. Background noise such as TV, radio and music can also help offer distraction.

"Provide anxious pets with a comfortable, safe space, and offer nutritious treats as a distraction.

"Make sure anxious pets are indoors, but do not confine them to one room. It is essential for owners to act normal, as dogs in particular can pick up on worried owners, which will in turn heighten anxiety."

This was echoed by Ross Hallifax from pet insurance specialist Purely Pets who says background noise can be a massive comfort to your pets on this night of the year.

Many pets are particularly sensitive to sound, and at up to 140 decibels, it's no surprise that fireworks can be distressing.

To help mask the sights and sounds, close windows and curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide background noise. "Give comfort if your pet seeks reassurance, and remember that if you stay calm, they will be much more likely to stay calm too," explained Ross.

Even the most distant bangs can be 'deafening' to our pets, and this kind of sensory overload can be incredibly stressful for them, according to Dr Angela Jones, veterinarian and co-founder of Petscribers.co.uk.

She says the key is to reduce that sudden shock, explaining: "Playing gentle background noise, such as low-volume TV or classical music, helps mask unpredictable bangs and gives pets something constant to focus on. For cats, provide multiple hiding spots around the house, under the bed, behind a sofa, or inside an open wardrobe, so they feel in control of their environment.

"Owners should also keep routines consistent. Feeding, walking, and bedtime should all happen at their usual times. Pets thrive on predictability, and even small changes can add to their stress. For those with particularly anxious animals, your vet can discuss safe, short-term options such as medication to ease anxiety or calming supplements, but the most powerful remedy is a calm, reassuring owner who doesn't overreact to the noise."

As well as playing classical music, it's crucial that your pets are kept inside where they're safe, starting as early as possible on Bonfire Night. Lindsay Arliss from Woodgreen Pets Charity says this is true for both cats and dogs, making sure they're outside enough during the day so that you can bring them in when night falls.

She explained: "Get your cat inside the house as soon as possible, give them an early dinner and let them hide away in the house if they want to.

"Allow your cat to find their own hidey hole, whether that's under the bed or behind the sofa - they will come out when they're ready.

"It's important to give your feline friend plenty of personal space. Trying to comfort them or pulling them from their hiding place may cause more stress.

"Walks dogs early while it's still light and make sure to get them out in the garden to do their business before it gets too dark.

"If they need to go to the toilet in the evening, it's best to keep them company in the garden just in case fireworks go off. One very important thing to keep in mind is to not leave your pets home alone when there are fireworks going off outside."

And although it can be frustrating if your pet is barking or misbehaving due to the fireworks, one thing you should not do is tell them off. That's according to Dr Sarah Page-Jones, Head Veterinary Surgeon at Pet Drugs Online, who has recommended staying as calm as possible around your pets this Bonfire Night.

She said: "Bonfire Night is a very confusing time for pets, while we as humans understand that fireworks aren't a threat, our pets don't realise this.

"It can be frustrating and upsetting to have a distressed animal, but raising voices will only make their fear worse in the long run. Try to stay calm and act normally; pets take direction from us, so staying calm can help them feel safer."