Managing pets during fireworks or thunderstorms
Hello everyone, my name is Noa.
Please, during the fiesta of Sant Joan, don’t buy fireworks. The noise that they make frightens me so much. Thank you!

Hear like your Pet
Our pets hear a different range of noises than we do, for example dogs can hear a wider range of frequencies, and, cats can hear a higher pitch. Dogs and cats can also rotate their ears, allowing them to receive stereo sounds.
Combine these attributes with other, higher functioning senses that your pet may possess and we can start to understand why out animals are most affected by the whizzing, fizzing, exploding, popping noise of fireworks. Living creatures (including us) are naturally wired to react to sudden and loud noises. Their senses are attuned for survival.
So what can we do during the holiday of Sant Joan, to help other animals who feel the same as Noa?
- You can take your animal out of town. The villages will definitely be celebrating, but it will most certainly be quieter than Barcelona.
- Allow your pet to hide. Make a darkened space for it to crawl into. Allow it to sit in the bath if it wants or to sit in the wardrobe or squeeze under the bed.
- Wherever the space, remember to leave drinking water.
- Arrange this space so that it is insulated as much as possible from sound.
- Don’t leave your pet alone.
- Don’t take your pet out into the middle of the celebrations. I’m not joking! I have seen many a distressed dog with their human in the middle of the fire breathing dragons.
- Play classical music or “white noise” as I have heard it being called. I prefer classical, it is very soothing.
- DO NOT hug or cuddle your pet or treat it in such a way, that in effect trains it to behave in this way. Be a calm presence. Sit with your pet with the AC on, curtains drawn, watching TV or reading. Allow your pet to be as close to you as it needs. Be there calmly and confidently showing that there is nothing to fear.
- Seeking a behaviourist or dog trainer is my best option. Train yourself how to behave in the presence of your animal during these times of fireworks. I am a preliminary dog listener using Amichien® Bonding, a technique created by Jan Fennell, who has helped thousands of dog owners assist their dogs with noise phobia.
The beauty of this way of working with a dog means that we never worry about what it is that a dog is actually afraid of. You can simply be the one who gives the dog the confidence to relax and leave the decision of whether you all run away, or simply stay where you are, to you and the problem is solved. If you started to implement the process now then you could choose to share the spectacle of colour, with your dog alongside you (from a distance of course). Or simply snuggle down to watch TV with your calm and contented dog with you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your pet is frightened of noises do not close it into any small places, like a crate, where it cannot escape and may possibly do great damage to itself.