How to Prepare Your Dog for Fireworks Night: A Step-by-Step Plan
Updated September 2026
Fireworks season is one of the toughest times of year for noise-sensitive dogs (in fact most dogs) - as well as for us poor owners watching our pets shake, pace or hide.
The good news though, is that a little preparation goes a long way. The most effective approach combines natural calming support with practical tools for the night itself, started early enough to give them time to work (but don’t panic if you’ve left it a bit late, as there’s always things you can do to help your dog).
Our helpful guide will walk you through each one, with a timeline so you know what to do and when.
Signs Your Dog Is Scared of Fireworks
Before you start, it helps to recognise what fear looks like. Common signs include:
- Panting, pacing or trembling when bangs start (often experienced during thunder storms as well as during fireworks)
- Trying to hide behind furniture, under beds, or in the bathroom
- Excessive drooling, or refusing food
- Barking or howling at each bang
- Clinginess, or the opposite: trying to bolt or escape
If any of this sounds familiar, preparing early is the best thing you can do. Fireworks season runs from Fireworks Night (and often the weekends before / after), Diwali, right through to New Year’s Eve. Bangs often start without warning, so it pays to be ready before the first one.
Get Your Dog's Safe Space or Den Ready
Choose a quiet, familiar room (ideally away from windows, especially if you don’t have double glazing), with your dog's bed, blankets and bedding, and a favourite toy. Add a long-lasting chew or a stuffed toy too - something to give them a positive focus once the bangs start.
You can also use a crate, and cover it with a thick blanket to help muffle noises (ensuring that your dog can still get in and out at will).
Stay nearby, but let your dog choose where they want to be. Some dogs want to be right next to you; others prefer to tuck themselves away. Both are fine - the safe space is there so they have the option.
Add Natural Calming Support
Real fireworks are unpredictable and loud, which is why calming support matters in the run-up and on the night itself. The three products we recommend for fireworks season are described later in this article (for a wider look at herbal, hemp and other options, see our Best Natural Calmers for Dogs Scared of Fireworks article.)
On the Day: Feed, Walk and Play Early
Try to fit in your dog's main walk, playtime and dinner before it gets dark, while things are still quiet. A tired, settled dog copes better once the bangs start, and it means you're not caught out on a walk if fireworks go off earlier than expected.
Here's Your Plan for Fireworks Night
- Check your dog’s ID info. Make sure this is all up to date, just incase they do bolt or escape during the fireworks.
- Before dusk: Have a long walk or tiring play session with your dog, and feed them early (so they have time to go to the bathroom)
- Settle your dog in their safe space early, with the curtains closed and some background noise like the TV or radio.
- Alternate Noise Remedy tablets and Calm Xtra each hour, starting Calm Xtra about 20 minutes before you expect the noises to begin.
- Use a snood if your dog is already used to it (more on that below)
- Stay calm and act normally. Your relaxed presence is the best reassurance!
Natural support for your dog this fireworks season
With over 25 years experience formulating natural remedies for dogs, we've helped 1000s of dogs (and their owners!) get through fireworks season more calmly. Here's what we recommend.
Noise Remedy homeopathy: start up to 3 weeks before
Noise Remedy is a homeopathic remedy made for noise sensitivity in dogs, especially fireworks, bird scarers and other sudden loud sounds. We've been making it for over 25 years. It works quickly and doesn't cause drowsiness, so your dog stays alert and themselves.
Because fireworks are often let off unexpectedly, we recommend giving it daily through the season rather than waiting for a bang.
- Starting 3 weeks before: 1 tablet, 3 times daily
- On the night: give extra tablets, alternating with Calm Xtra each hour (see below)
- How to give it: on a clean tongue, ideally 30 minutes away from food. The tablets are small and sweet, and most dogs take them happily. If yours objects, crush one between folded paper and mix it with a drop of milk or a tiny bit of butter.
- Dose: the same for every breed, from chihuahua to mastiff. Suitable from 12 weeks old
Calm Xtra: herbal drops for the night itself
Calm Xtra is a liquid herbal tincture containing valerian, skullcap, passionflower, wild lettuce and Jamaican dogwood. You simply add a few drops to food or a treat, so it's easy to use even with a fussy dog. It's designed for occasional use, ideally about 20 minutes before the noise begins.
It may have a mild sedative effect, so it isn't the right choice if you're showing your dog. It also suits other stressful moments, such as car journeys, visitors or nights alone.
Anti-Panic Dog Snood: for the bangs themselves
The Anti-Panic Dog Snood works differently from the other two: it tackles the noise rather than the nerves. It's lined with sound-deflecting foam to muffle harsh sounds, with a soft breathable outer fabric and adjustable straps so it's easy to put on and take off. It's handmade in Wales by a small independent business and comes in small, medium and large.
It's useful for fireworks, gunshots and thunder. Introduce it well before the season: let your dog wear it for a few minutes at a time while you hand out treats, so it becomes a familiar, comfortable thing rather than something that appears on the scary night.
Fireworks Special Pack: Noise Remedy and Calm Xtra Together
Our Fireworks Special Pack bundles both Noise Remedy and Calm Xtra together. It's built specifically for noise-sensitive dogs and gives you the full 28-day course of Noise Remedy alongside a 30ml bottle of Calm Xtra, so you're set up for the whole run-up to the season and the night itself.
Customers regularly tell us it's made a real difference for dogs who've struggled with fireworks for years - one owner described her dog as "a different dog" after starting the Noise Remedy routine.
If you're reading this and it's already fireworks season, don't panic. Start Noise Remedy as soon as you can - it still helps even without the full three week run-up (and you can also use it on the night itself) - and grab some Calm Xtra (our bestselling natural calming drops for dogs). We ship all UK orders really quickly.
