Dog owners are being urged by a south Essex vet to look out for the less obvious signs their pets are struggling with fireworks.
Amy Murphy, of Earls Hall Veterinary Centre - South Beech in Wickford, has shared advice for owners on recognising and managing firework fear.
While some dogs shake, bark or try to escape, others may quietly leave a room, refuse food or seek attention.
Amy Murphy, clinical director at the veterinary centre, said: "We experience fireworks knowing exactly what they are, when we're likely to hear them and that they aren't a threat.
"Our dogs don't have that explanation.
"Imagine suddenly hearing an extremely loud, unpredictable noise when you don't know where it has come from."
Dogs can detect sounds from around four times further away than humans and hear higher frequencies, according to Dogs Trust.
The vet said a frightened dog's behaviour could reflect a real fear response rather than the animal being naughty or overreacting.
Other signs can include pacing, restlessness, panting or choosing an unusual place to lie down, the practice said.
Dogs showing these less obvious reactions may be less likely to get help, even though they could be experiencing noise sensitivity.
The practice said genetics, age, health, previous experiences and learning may all play a part in how a dog responds.
Pain can also make some dogs more sensitive to noise, and owners are advised to seek a veterinary check if a dog suddenly develops a noise phobia.
To help a frightened pet, Amy recommends creating a safe place where it can retreat, closing curtains to reduce flashes and providing suitable background noise.
She also advises keeping dogs indoors while fireworks are being let off and allowing them to choose whether to seek reassurance or retreat to a familiar hiding place.
For dogs with established fears, longer-term options can include carefully managed desensitisation and counterconditioning, alongside veterinary assessment, behavioural support or appropriate anti-anxiety medication.
Amy added: "Owners sometimes wonder why their new puppy is frightened when their previous dog wasn't, or why two dogs living in exactly the same household react completely differently.
"Fear can also change during a dog's lifetime."
Share