Why Are Dogs Scared Of Fireworks? (And How Can You Help?)
Let's admit it - fireworks can be pretty annoying even for us humans. But for your dog? They can be downright terrifying. But why is this the case and what can you do to comfort your buddy when it's loud outdoors?
Whether on the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve or another special occasion, fireworks can send your brave little trooper diving beneath the bed, into your arms, or under a blanket to hide. But why are dogs scared of fireworks? Here are some of the reasons why, how to calm a dog down during fireworks – and the number one emergency measure that’ll guarantee you’ll never lose your dog again.
Key Takeaways
🐶 Your dog’s sharp sense of hearing means that loud, unpredictable noises like fireworks sound hundreds of times louder. (And scarier!)
😱 Watch out for the signs of fear in dogs, like wide pupils, anxious pacing, or an increase in barking or whining.
💡 You can help calm yours down by making sure they’re well-fed and well-exercised, have some company indoors, and have a safe space with some calming music or white noise.
🌎 In an emergency – like if your dog’s run away out of fear – a dog GPS tracker can help you track them down in real-time and find them in no time.
Find out how your dog spends their time.
Read moreWhy are dogs scared of fireworks?
Sadly, your buddy isn’t likely to enjoy the festive season as much as you. Rather, loud noises like fireworks can be frightening for dogs – and make them either:
- Freeze,
- Try to hide,
- React aggressively,
- Or even run away from home – too far from safety.
The first reason why dogs are scared of fireworks is simply that fireworks are…
Really loud
Even for human ears – and our canine friends have better hearing than we do. In fact, according to FirstVet:
“Dogs hear sounds of up to 50,000 vibrations per second (50,000 Hz), whereas humans cannot hear sounds that vibrate more than 20,000 vibrations per second (20,000 Hz).”
Their excellent hearing makes dogs more sensitive to noise. Which explains why your dog may come running at the sound of someone opening a bag of chips on the other side of the house. But it also explains why loud fireworks can be terror-inducing for your furry friend. Chances are, dogs experience the noise far more intensely than you do.
Unpredictable
While you’re excited to go see the fireworks and know what to expect, your dog has no idea what’s going on and can’t mentally prepare for the loud noises. From their perspective, it comes out of nowhere. And since each loud bang, hiss and pop from the fireworks comes at a seemingly random interval, dogs can’t get used to the sound.
Threatening
Finally, dogs are scared of fireworks because they perceive them as a threat. The loud, unpredictable noise triggers the dog’s nervous system and fight-or-flight response. They become activated as their body prepares to protect themselves. In this state of heightened fear, many dogs will freeze, run away, or fight in response to what feels like, for them, a very real threat.
Is my dog scared of fireworks? What to look out for
Now you might think a scared dog might cower or hide mostly. But as it turns out, fear in dogs can turn up in a whole bunch of ways – many of which we can miss, since they’re so subtle. So keep an eye out for signs like:
- Wide, dilated pupils
- Restless, anxious pacing
- Panting
- Drooling or salivating more than usual
- Excessive barking or vocalizing, including whining or howling
- Tremors or shaking
- Excessive scratching or licking
- Hiding or cowering
- Anxiously following you around
- Trying to escape or run away
How to calm a dog down when there’s fireworks outside
- Feed and exercise
Make sure your dog is well-fed and exercised before the big event. A tired and full dog is less likely to be anxious. - Keep your dog inside
Bring your dog indoors to help protect them from the loud noise of fireworks and prevent them from running away. - Create a safe space
Make a place in your home where your dog can be comfortable. This could be a small room, or their dog crate. Bring toys, bedding and their bed to help make them feel safe. - Have someone stay with your dog
Arrange for someone to supervise and calm your dog during the fireworks.
- Use music or white noise
Consider playing music or white nose for your dog to drown out the booming noise outside. - Consider a dog wrap for fireworks
Like a weighted blanket, dog wraps, vests or shirts can help relieve an anxious dog. - Medicate if necessary
In the case of severely anxious or phobic dogs, anti-anxiety medication might be helpful to keep them from hurting themselves1. Talk to your vet before medicating your dog.
Where a GPS tracker can save your dog’s life
In a panic, even the most well-trained pup can bolt – digging under fences, squeezing through cracked doors, or scaling walls in their desperate flight from the noise. A dog that runs away during a fireworks display can quickly end up disoriented, lost, or even in danger near roads or unfamiliar terrain. That’s where a Tractive GPS tracker becomes more than just a handy gadget; it becomes a lifesaving tool.
Just head to your Tractive mobile app and…
- Track your dog’s location in real-time
With location updates every couple of seconds on LIVE mode. Plus, unlike an Apple AirTag, your Tractive device works over an unlimited range. No need to rely on a network of compatible devices to find your missing buddy. - Set up a safe zone
Around your home or garden and get an escape alert the moment your dog leaves – or enters – the area. - See where your dog has been
From their Heat Map and Location History. Retrace their steps and identify potential escape routes. - Get your loved ones to help
With Family Sharing. Share your dog’s location with trusted friends or family to track and help search if needed. - Find your dog even in the dark
With your tracker’s Light and Sound functions. Activate the tracker’s light or sound remotely to help locate your dog at night or in dense areas. - Check if your dog’s been barking more than usual
From your tracker’s built-in Bark Monitor, which can alert you to a change in your dog’s barking, whining, or even signs of anxiety, like restless pacing.
While fireworks may always be a fear trigger for dogs, a GPS tracker means that fear doesn’t have to end in heartbreak. It’s a simple step that could make all the difference – turning a potential tragedy into a quick reunion.
In case you’re still wondering what kind of shenanigans a frightened dog can get up to, here’s the story of Solène – whose rescue dog Sira got spooked during fireworks…and ended up in a rock in the middle of the sea! 😨
“My dog was rescued and is alive because of her tracker.
I live on an island in France. On July 13, there were fireworks for the French National Day. My dog got scared and escaped.
She ran to the pier and probably fell in the water at 23:50. There was no signal on the GPS for an hour, that she probably spent in the water.
At 00:50, the signal was back. She was on a rock in the middle of the sea!”
“I called several people to find someone who could go find her with a boat.
They looked for her for about an hour before they could finally locate and rescue her. They had to catch her with a fishing net because she was so scared.”
“I am very grateful that this tracker still worked after an hour in the sea. Thank you Tractive!“
💡Besides a GPS tracker, it’s always wise to make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing ID tags on their collar at all times. (It’s not just a nice to have – it might be a legal requirement, depending on where you live!) Both of these can tremendously help your chances of being reunited with your furry friend, if they get separated from you.
Follow your dog anywhere
Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
