Last updated: October 2026
If your dog is scared of fireworks, start now, before Bonfire Night, Thursday 5 November: make a den, walk before dark, close the curtains, mask the bangs, stay home and never punish fear. Don’t give your dog human medicines, and check with your vet before trying anything else, CBD included. In the UK only a vet can prescribe calming medication.
This guide covers the 2026 fireworks dates, a night-of checklist, what to give and what not to, and how to help cats, rabbits and horses too.
Fireworks dates 2026: when to expect bangs
Fireworks season isn’t one night. In England and Wales, shops can sell fireworks for private use from 15 October to 10 November and 26 to 31 December, so expect bangs on any evening in those windows.
| Date | Occasion | Latest legal time* |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | Halloween, plus weekend displays | 11pm |
| Thu 5 Nov 2026 | Bonfire Night (displays also on 31 Oct to 1 Nov and 6 to 8 Nov) | Midnight |
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali (festival 6 to 10 Nov) | 1am |
| Thu 31 Dec 2026 | New Year’s Eve | 1am |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year | 1am |
*The law says no fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. In Scotland, private fireworks are only allowed between 6pm and 11pm, with the same late finishes, and some councils have Firework Control Zones where they are banned.
The clocks went back on 25 October, so it gets dark much earlier. Plan dog walks around that: see how the clock change affects sleep.
Signs your dog is scared of fireworks
The PDSA’s PAW Report found about 4 in 10 owners say their dog is afraid of fireworks, and in a 2025 RSPCA poll almost two thirds of dog owners said fireworks had affected their dog. Signs include:
- trembling, shaking or pacing
- panting, drooling or lip licking
- hiding, cowering or trying to escape
- clinging to you, whining, barking or growling
- tail tucked down, wide eyes
- toileting indoors or going off their food
Some dogs only show small changes. If your dog is suddenly scared of fireworks, see your vet: a new fear can be linked to pain or illness.
Why are dogs scared of fireworks?
Dogs have sensitive hearing, and fireworks are loud, sudden and unpredictable, with flashes and smells too. One bad night can make the next year worse, which is why early help matters.
Start now: the days before fireworks
- Call your vet this week. Some medicines need starting days ahead, or a trial run first.
- Build a den in a quiet room, such as a covered crate with blankets. Reward them for using it, and never shut them in.
- Plug in a pheromone diffuser near the den. Charities suggest a few weeks ahead, so do it today.
- Play sounds at low volume. The Dogs Trust Sound Blanket (free on YouTube and Spotify) masks bangs. Full desensitisation takes weeks to months, so this year it’s mostly masking; next year, start in summer.
- Check their microchip details and ID tag, and make sure fences, gates and doors are secure.
- Find out when local displays are.
- Try a pressure wrap only if your dog is already happy wearing one.
On the night: a fireworks checklist for dogs
- Walk and toilet them in daylight, and feed a little earlier.
- Close curtains and windows, and put the lights on.
- Turn on the TV, radio or a sound blanket before the first bang (see how masking noise works).
- Stay home, stay calm and act normally.
- Offer long-lasting chews, lick mats or puzzle feeders.
- Keep them on a lead for any late toilet trip, and never let them out alone.
- Never punish fear or accidents, never take them to a display and never tie them up outside.
- Give any vet medicine exactly as prescribed.
Should I cuddle my dog during fireworks?
Yes, if they come to you. Comforting a frightened dog doesn’t reinforce fear, and Dogs Trust says ignoring them won’t help. If they would rather hide, let them, and stay calm yourself.
What can I give my dog for fireworks?
From your vet: licensed prescription medicines for noise fear. Some need starting days earlier, and only your vet can decide what suits your dog.
Over the counter: pheromone diffusers and sprays, calming chews or supplements, pressure wraps, and chews or lick mats for distraction. Evidence for calming products varies and results differ between dogs, so check with your vet first if your dog takes any medicine.
Never: human medicines such as painkillers, sleeping tablets or antihistamines, or human supplements, unless your vet tells you to. The PDSA’s advice is never to give your dog any medication your vet hasn’t prescribed.
Can I give my dog CBD oil for fireworks?
Not unless your vet prescribes it. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) says CBD products for animals are veterinary medicines and need a marketing authorisation before they can be sold or supplied in the UK. It says there are currently no CBD products authorised for veterinary use, and that giving an unauthorised CBD product without a veterinary prescription “is an offence under Regulation 8” of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. The VMD enforces these rules and has seized imported pet CBD products.
What a vet can do: under the prescribing cascade, a vet may prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product and advise on dose and monitoring, though for fireworks they will often suggest licensed medicines first.
What the research found: the only study we found that used a fireworks noise test gave 16 dogs CBD treats for a week. The authors said the results “do not support” a calming effect at that dose, while a prescription medicine used for comparison lowered the dogs’ stress hormone. Small studies on car travel and time alone have had mixed results.
Safety: the VMD says a safe dose for animals hasn’t been determined, and THC can be toxic to animals. CBD gummies and treats made for people may also contain xylitol or chocolate, which are dangerous for dogs. See CBD vs THC and CBD side effects.
Our full guide to CBD oil for dogs in the UK explains the law, research and risks in more detail. For the rules on CBD for people, see is CBD legal in the UK?
Cats scared of fireworks
- Keep them in after dark from now until the season ends, with a litter tray, food and water inside.
- Lock the cat flap and close windows and doors.
- Give them hiding places, ideally high up, or a cardboard box.
- Don’t pick them up or pull them out. Let them come to you.
- Plug in a feline pheromone diffuser a couple of weeks before, in the room they use most.
- Check their microchip. In England, cats over 20 weeks old must be microchipped.
If your cat is still stressed or off their food, see your vet. Cats process many substances differently from dogs and people, so never give them any human product, CBD included, without your vet.
Why is my cat not scared of fireworks?
Some cats simply aren’t bothered. Still keep them in after dark, as a sudden bang can send even a calm cat running.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets
Bring hutches indoors or into a garage or shed if you can. If they must stay outside, cover the hutch with a blanket but leave a gap for air, or turn it to face a wall. Give extra bedding so they can burrow, and keep companions together. See a vet if they stop eating afterwards.
Horses and fireworks
Plan ahead, keep their routine and ask neighbours when displays are. The British Veterinary Association says a horse may be better turned out in a field than stabled, as a stable can feel confining. Next morning, check the field for debris and the horse for injuries.
After the fireworks
- Check the garden for spent fireworks and debris before letting dogs out.
- Note what helped, ready for next year.
- Start sound therapy early next year, ideally months ahead.
- If fear is getting worse each year, ask your vet about a behaviourist referral.
Emergency: if your pet is injured, or has eaten chocolate, sweets, gummies, cannabis or a spent firework, call your vet straight away.
Fireworks week is stressful for owners too
A dog pacing at midnight means broken nights for you as well. A steady bedtime routine helps, plus background sound if you’re a light sleeper. Calming music can suit you both, and our guide on how to calm down helps you stay steady, which your pet picks up on. Many adults also like a warm drink before bed: our Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a berry drink, and magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. See magnesium for sleep.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
Our products are for adults (18+) only.
FAQs
What can I give my dog to calm him during fireworks?
Ask your vet, who can prescribe licensed medicines for noise fear. At home, use a den, a pheromone diffuser, music or a sound blanket, and long-lasting chews. Never give human medicines.
Can I give my dog CBD oil for fireworks in the UK?
Only if your vet prescribes it. The VMD says no CBD product is authorised for animals in the UK, and giving an unauthorised one without a veterinary prescription is an offence.
When are the fireworks in 2026?
Halloween is Saturday 31 October, Bonfire Night Thursday 5 November, Diwali Sunday 8 November and New Year’s Eve Thursday 31 December, with displays on nearby weekends.
What time do fireworks have to stop in the UK?
11pm in England and Wales, except midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. In Scotland, private fireworks are only allowed from 6pm.
Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?
Yes, if they come to you. Comfort doesn’t make fear worse, but let them hide if they prefer, and stay calm yourself.
How do I calm a cat scared of fireworks?
Keep them in before dark with a litter tray, close windows and the cat flap, give them high hiding places and let them come out when they’re ready.
How early should I prepare my dog for fireworks?
Ideally months ahead with sound therapy. Even this week you can see your vet, set up a den, plug in a diffuser and check their microchip.
Why is my dog suddenly scared of fireworks?
Fear can start at any age after a bad experience, but a sudden change can also signal pain or illness, so get your dog checked by your vet.
Sources
- VMD (2018). VMD statement on veterinary medicinal products containing cannabidiol.
- VMD blog. Can I buy CBD oil (cannabidiol) for my pet?
- RCVS Knowledge (updated 2026). The use of cannabidiol (CBD) in animals.
- Morris EM et al. (2020). The impact of feeding cannabidiol (CBD) containing treats on canine response to a noise-induced fear response test. Front Vet Sci. PMID 33195551.
- Hunt ABG et al. (2023), PMID 36908527; Flint HE et al. (2025), PMID 40800226. Front Vet Sci.
- GOV.UK. Fireworks: the law. Scottish Government. Using fireworks.
- Dogs Trust. Supporting your dog during fireworks.
- PDSA. Dogs and fireworks.
- RSPCA. Keeping pets safe during fireworks.
- Cats Protection. Fireworks and Bonfire Night.
- British Veterinary Association (2025). Have a pet with fireworks phobia? Prepare now.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Evopure products mentioned (Evolabs Natural CBD Oil, Broad Spectrum CBD Oil, Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex) are food supplements for adults.
