How to make your home more pet-friendly during fireworks

Bonfire night is fast approaching, it's the time of year when many of the population will be travelling to firework displays, or creating their own. It’s a popular British tradition, but there are some who dread this period.

Cats and dogs typically hate fireworks because of the large bangs and bright lights. They aren’t aware of the reason for this, so it’s understandable that they panic. Owners will sit with their pets to provide comfort, as shaking, barking and hiding are common.

There are ways to make your home more pet-friendly during the bonfire period. To give you a helping hand, Joshua Houston, Sound-proofing Expert at Household Quotes has revealed five tips.

1: Play music

Fireworks can be loud, so play some music to reduce the sound. Studies have shown that classical music leaves dogs feeling less agitated, which is ideal on bonfire night. However, if you really can’t stand classical, then put on whatever entertains you. The main thing is that your pet's ears concentrate more on the music than the loud bangs from outside.

2: Add noise-reducing curtains

Another way to reduce the amount of outside noise is by investing in noise-reducing curtains. They can be picked up for £40, and due to being made from heavy, dense material, they are designed to keep sound out of your home. This is ideal in rooms that your pets commonly hang out in, like your living room or kitchen. 

It will also benefit you in other ways, when you sit down to watch TV after a long day's work, you will be less disturbed by the outside world. If you live near a busy road, they are good for helping reduce the noise pollution created. 

3: Find the quietest room

The busiest times for fireworks will be between 7 pm and 11 pm, from October 31st through to November 5th. So during these times, locate the quietest room in your home that you can keep your pets in for a few hours. For many, this will be inside corridors or bigger bathrooms. This is because they are often insulated better from the outside, meaning less noise gets to those spaces.

4: Ensure windows and doors are sealed

A lot of the time noise can enter your home through gaps in your windows and doors. Inspect each one closely to see if they need any TLC. Caulk is good for filling in small spaces of your home, you can use this on the areas around doors and windows that have gaps. Alternatively, a draft excluder is a much simpler way to seal up your home, it requires less DIY knowledge. Sealing your home will ultimately reduce the amount of outside noise that enters, making your pets' fireworks season more tolerable. 

5: Keep your home dark

It’s not just the sounds that pets hate, it can also be the lights. Fireworks cause bright lights to engulf your home, which puts stress on your animals who don’t know what is going on. To prevent this, keep your curtains and blinds closed, this means that any lights will be blocked from entering.

‘’Bonfire night is an exciting time for many across the country, but for some, it will be their worst night of the year. These include pets, who have no idea why there are loud noises and flashy lights, which might scare them.

Follow these tips to soundproof your home. They will aid in reducing the noise coming in from the outside which should help keep your pet calm.’’