With Bonfire Night on November 5 approaching, a veterinary surgeon has shared a simple tip to help keep dogs calm as fireworks go off outside. Dr Charlotte Inness, founder of online veterinary pharmacy VetMedi.co.uk, suggests hosting a movie night centred around high-energy action or sci-fi blockbusters rather than relying on soft classical music.
Why action movies work better than classical music
Dr Inness explains that soft music frequently leaves prolonged silences between quiet passages, allowing sudden, sharp firework bangs to cut through the calm and startle dogs. Action movies, she says, produce a constant stream of mid-range background noise, from mechanical rumbles and fast-paced dialogue to orchestral scores and explosions.
"The secret lies in sound masking," the vet surgeon says. "Action movies produce a constant stream of mid-range background noise, from continuous mechanical rumbles and fast-paced dialogue to sweeping orchestral scores and explosions."
She adds: "This effectively creates a consistent sound wall that masks sudden, unexpected firework booms, making the noise far less jarring for sensitive ears."
Using scent to reassure anxious dogs
Another tip from Dr Inness is placing an item of worn clothing, such as a sock or jumper, in a dog's bed or crate. She describes it as the simplest yet most powerful trick available for tackling anxiety.
"An unwashed item of clothing - like a jumper, t-shirt, or even a worn pair of socks - that carries your natural scent acts as an instant security blanket," the veterinary surgeon explains.
Dogs rely heavily on scent for comfort and reassurance when they feel vulnerable. Placing worn clothing inside their bed, crate or designated safe zone helps lower their heart rate and provides a reassuring anchor against unpredictable outside noises.
Research from Dogs Trust reveals that nearly half (49%) of British dogs suffer adverse effects from fireworks, and up to 80% of dog owners notice a distinct change in their pet's behaviour during the fireworks season.
