Music for dogs on bonfire night: Top tips for calming anxious pets including where to find soothing music
While bonfire night can be exciting for humans, dogs can become extremely anxious with many pet experts recommending playing calming music - here’s where to find soothing tunes for your pooch.
Bonfire night is upon us and while this is an exciting time for many humans, for pets it can be extremely stressful. According to research carried out by animal rescue centre Battersea, almost all pet owners say their pet becomes anxious during this time.
More than half (57%) of pet owners admit they have cancelled plans in the past to accommodate their anxious pets during high-profile firework events such as Bonfire Night, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve with a whopping 87% saying fireworks make their pet anxious.
Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine, Ruth Cawston, speaking on behalf of veterinary practice group, Kin Vet Community said: “Firework season is fast approaching, and while some people might be excited to hear the pops and bangs on and around Bonfire Night, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For our four-legged friends, the loud noises and interrupted skies might not be a welcome surprise.”
For those unsure of what anxiety looks like in pets, Ruth says these are the signs to look out for:
- Destructive behaviour
- Excessive barking or whining
- Trembling
- Toileting in unusual places
- Drooling
- Panting
- Yawning
- Lip or nose-licking
- Pacing
Music for dogs on bonfire night
Many experts recommend offering pets a distraction from the sights and sounds of fireworks night, including playing music. Classical music is reported to be the most effective for calming dogs during fireworks due to its slow tempo and lack of loud, sudden noises. Other calming genres include soft rock and reggae.
Lana Foster, technical vet nurse at pet supplement brand YuMOVE, said: “Most dogs have far more sensitive hearing than us humans, which means those loud bangs can sound so much more intense. Pair that with bright flashes of light, and it’s no wonder some dogs get scared of fireworks.”
She added: “Playing calm, soothing music, like classical tunes, can create a peaceful atmosphere and mask the fireworks. Classic FM even runs a Pet Classics programme specifically for firework season, so it’s worth tuning in.”
Classic FM Breakfast host and dog-lover Dan Walker, and Pet Classics favourite Charlotte Hawkins, will host two specially created programmes. Dan will present the first programme, on Bonfire Night, Wednesday 5 November from 5pm to 9pm, followed by a second programme with Charlotte on Saturday 8 November, to coincide with the busiest night for public and private fireworks displays, also from 5pm to 9pm.
In addition, in the build-up to the main Pet Classics programmes, Charlotte is presenting a new Friday night Pet Classics mini-series from 9pm, running until Friday 31 October.
Battersea agrees using music as a distraction can help. A spokesperson for the charity said: “Classical music will help calm dogs in general, and music with heavy bass will be ideal for masking bangs if your pet is used to listening to music like this. Battersea’s Calming Classical playlist can be played on a loop to help create a serene space for dogs.”
Classical music for dogs on bonfire night
Studies show that classical music causes dogs to spend more time resting and less time standing or making noise. It can also help mask the sound of fireworks without introducing harsh noises.
Recommended classical listening during fireworks events are:
- Johann Sebastian Bach's "Air on G String" and "Sheep May Safely Graze"
- Frédéric Chopin's Nocturnes
- Ludwig van Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata"
- Claude Debussy's "Arabesque No. 1"
- Saint-Saëns' "The Swan"
Tips for keeping pets calm during fireworks
To support pet owners in keeping their pets safe, Battersea’s expert animal behavioral team shared their advice for the upcoming firework season. Natalie Ingham, Canine Behaviourist & Training Manager at Battersea, said: “Fireworks can be a terrifying ordeal for a lot of cats and dogs as well as other animals. It’s clear from our research that many pet owners in the UK share the experience of dealing with anxious pets during this time of year.”
Keep pets indoors: Keeping animals indoors is one of the most important steps people can take to keep their pets safe during fireworks. For dogs, this means taking them for a long walk well before dark and then only taking them out again once the fireworks have stopped. For cats, particularly if they have outdoor access, this means making sure they’re inside the home and that all doors and windows are shut, and cat flaps are blocked off before the fireworks start.
Create a ‘safe place’: A table draped with a blanket can be a great retreat for anxious dogs, while cats will likely feel safer somewhere higher up. If pets have a preferred hiding space, it is important to ensure they have access to this and are encouraged to use the space with treats and toys. Giving pets options so they can choose where to hide is equally important.
Make sure pets are microchipped: Making sure cats and dogs can be identified should they run away by ensuring they are microchipped, and the contact details are up to date is another crucial step pet owners can take to keep their beloved pets safe. This makes the reuniting process much more straight-forward should the worst-case-scenario happen, and a pet runs away.
Act normally: Animals are highly perceptive and will notice if owners are behaving unusually. Following them around or being overly affectionate may cause them to feel nervous or confused. Owners can still reassure pets by playing with their favourite toy, for example, but it is best to behave as normally as possible. The more owners change their behaviour, the more anxious pets may become.
Contact a vet: If a cat or dog is still extremely stressed by fireworks after following Battersea’s advice and making all necessary adjustments, owners should consider contacting their vet.