Making Bonfire Night Safe for your Dogs & Pets

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Bonfire Night Safety for Pets Surrey Dog Photography

Making Bonfire Night Safe for your Dogs & Pets

Having lived in a small coastal town called Rye in East Sussex for many years, the tradition of bonfire night has always been a huge event for me.

There is huge tradition behind Bonfire Night, from the history of Guy Fawkes and the Houses of Parliament plot, through to the local stories of the gangs of smugglers that roamed in the darkest along the Kent Coast in the prohibition years.

Rye Bonfire Night

The Hawkhurst Gang, the Lewes Gang and many more gangs of smugglers are commemorated in Rye, during bonfire night and it’s quite an event. From the thrill of the procession, marching to the beat of the drum, the flaming torches, through to the dramatic cannon fire and bangers from the smugglers, trudging through the cobbled streets before reaching the recreation ground and igniting the huge monolith of a bonfire.  Then once the flames are raging and the heat of the fire is scorching your cheeks, a dance of what can only be compared to morris dancers around a campfire commences, with bangers being thrown into the fire, before the sky is set aglow with fireworks lighting up the Romney Marshes.

It’s quite spectacular.

And has quite an impact. The booms echo off the cliff face and roll out across the marshes toward the sea.

As much as I have always loved the spectacle, I have to confess, our family pets haven’t always been so keen.

Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe on Bonfire Night

There are some great ideas you can adopt for keeping your pets safe this bonfire night. Here are just a few:

  • Walk your dogs early, well before dark. Give them a longer walk than normal and help wear them out so they are more likely to settle.
  • Find a calm space for your pets. Create a safe space deep in the house for your pets that is quiet and warm. Keeping pets away from windows and doors and areas like the explosions of fireworks is likely to echo.
  • Keep the curtains closed. Closing the curtains and internal doors will soften the sounds even further.
  • Break out a box-set. Why not use the time to catch up on a box-set, a netflix marathon, or tune into your favourite talk radio station. TV and Radio have been proved to have a soothing effect on pets and their owners.

A musical balm for terrified terriers.

This year Classic FM is producing a special radio show for pets on Bonfire Night. You can tune into Bonfire Night Bach, from Classic FM, which will be broadcast on Saturday evening of November 3rd.

RSPCA Pets & Fireworks

Take a look at a short video from the RSPCA on Pet Safety and Fireworks and ‘How to build a doggy den.’ 

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