Why Are Dogs Scared of Fireworks? Is This Normal?

It’s likely that your dog feels startled or nervous around new sounds—just like you would if you heard a loud alarm go off in your house without any warning. 

“As humans, we understand and expect the annual tradition of fireworks, particularly around the Fourth of July, but this concept is foreign to our dogs, and many are genuinely frightened if they are suddenly exposed to the loud sounds and scary sights associated with fireworks,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian located in Bangor, Maine. 

Dogs have much more acute and sensitive hearing than humans do, so the sound of fireworks (or loud noises of any kind) can be really unnerving to them, says Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner and managing partner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.  

(Fun fact! Humans can only hear between 64–23,000 Hz, whereas dogs can hear a range of 67–45,000 Hz.) 

Many dogs have a fear of fireworks because they “do not know where the noises are coming from or when they will end,” Dr. Tate says. 

If your dog gets anxious when they hear fireworks, thunderstorms, or other loud noises, you can blame their natural flight-or-fight response. 

“Many behaviorally healthy dogs find [fireworks] unpleasant, and it comes from a lack of security, meaning the dog doesn’t feel safe,” says Jolene Short, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT, FFCP, a dog trainer formerly at Homeward Bound Animal Behavior & Training in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. 

The word “safety” can be somewhat subjective here. Even if your pup is tucked in their safe space (like a dog crate or plush dog bed) far away from fireworks, “perception is as good as reality when their fight-or-flight system kicks in,” says Short. 

Translation? Firework-like sounds in the wild could spell danger (think: a thunderstorm, earthquake, or tree falling down), so even if your dog has been an indoor pet their entire life, they may still associate these booms or loud noises with scary and potentially life-threatening events. 

As mentioned above, it’s normal for even behaviorally healthy dogs to have a fear of fireworks. However, some dogs might need a little extra TLC when it comes to managing their reaction around fireworks. 

The following dogs may be more sensitive to loud noises and vibrations, according to Dr. Tate: 

• Young puppies who are not well socialized or who’ve yet to be socialized 
• Dogs who’ve had a traumatic experience around unexpected noise 
• Dogs with vision loss 
• Dogs with separation anxiety 
• Dogs who are sick or in pain 

Dogs who exhibit the following severe fear responses when they hear fireworks may have anxiety, noise phobias, or other behavioral issues such as: 

• Cowering 
• Having potty accidents in the house 
• Hiding 
• Crying 
• Shaking 

After ruling out any underlying health issues with your vet, these issues can be addressed with a veterinary behaviorist. 

There are several great techniques to reduce your dog’s firework anxiety, according to our experts. 

If you know that there will be fireworks in your neighborhood (say, on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve), Short recommends trying out sound desensitization with your dog in the weeks leading up to it—especially if your dog hasn’t experienced fireworks before. 

This will involve playing firework sounds for them and gradually increasing the volume while providing high-value dog treats, their favorite dog toy, or fun activities, like treat dispensing dog toys, to keep the exercise pleasant and foster positive associations. 

However, Short does not recommend this tactic if your dog already has a negative association to fireworks.  

Deliberately exposing your dog to what they’re afraid of is called flooding, and Short says it isn’t a terribly effective way of changing behavior—”much like shoving me in a room full of tarantulas and locking the door isn’t likely to make me feel less scared of spiders.” 

Take your pup on a long walk, go for a hike, or treat them to a puppy play date ahead of time. Adequate exercise can help reduce anxiety. 

Over-the-counter calming aids, like the following, can help relieve stress: 

• A comfort vest, such as a Thundershirt, that applies soothing pressure 

• A pheromone spray, diffuser, or calming collar that mimics the scent of a mama dog’s natural pheromones 

• Calming treats or chews that include calming ingredients, like lavender, chamomile, and L-tryptophan 

Prepare a calming retreat for your fearful dog, like a kennel, room, or closet where they can hide.  

Make it extra comfy with all of their favorite things, like a dog blanket, dog bed, and dog toys. 

Play brown noise or calming music to help camouflage loud noises. 

An easy way to soothe stressed dogs is to give them something else to focus on and occupy their time.  

For example, freeze a KONG chew toy with xylitol-free peanut butter, yogurt, or wet food inside and let them lick up the frozen treat.  

You could also try a treat-dispensing toy or a food puzzle for distraction and mental stimulation. 

It’s likely that wherever you go on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, there will be loud fireworks. However, not all towns hold firework displays on the same day. And, of course, there are other times of year that fireworks may be used.  

If you can, go for a long car ride to escape all the action. 

If you’ve tried other techniques without any success, it may be time to talk to your vet about prescription medication you can use during these stressful situations. 

“Prescription anxiety medication is a completely reasonable and humane way to help your dog through a tough time,” Short says. “In many circumstances, it’s meant to be paired with behavior modification, because it’s not a magic wand by itself.” 

All of our experts want pet parents to know that fireworks are extremely dangerous to dogs. Even if they seem to be tolerant of the sights and sounds, your dog can easily become panicked and run away and/or injure themselves or others. 

“I cannot tell you how many dogs have surprised their owner by escaping, and that is such a stressful experience that could have devastating consequences,” Short says. “The 5th of July is one of the busiest days of the year for shelters across the country for a reason.” 

To keep your dog safe: 

• Stay at home 
• Keep them crated (if your dog is already crate trained) or confined to a room 
• Keep them on a leash at all times (if you must go outside) 

• Make sure ID tags and microchip contact info are up to date 

Together with your vet, you can help your pet find calm amongst the ka-boom. For more expert advice, check out our guide on how to mitigate stress in pets.