We all love fireworks, they look wonderful and sound great. Our pets however can be very frightened of the noises and flashes that fireworks generate.

Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurance provider, has produced this factsheet to help pet owners in the UK reduce the effects that fireworks have on our pets. There are some handy tips and hints to help animals of all sizes get through what can be the most stressful time of year for any pet.

• Keep your cat or dog inside when fireworks are being let off.
• Close all windows and doors to help keep the noise to a minimum.
• Close the curtains so your pet can’t see the flashes.
• Turn on the TV or some music to drown out some of the firework noise.
• Block any cat flaps or other ways for your pet to get outside. That way, if they do get scared, they can't get out of the house and run the risk of being injured.
• Provide your cat with a litter tray if he or she is used to being able to get into the garden.
• Make sure your pet is wearing a form of identification. That way if they do manage to escape, you can be easily contacted when your pet is found.
• Don’t take your pet to a fireworks display! They may be part of the family but this is one trip they will be more than happy to miss.
• Don’t tie your pet outside during fireworks, even if you are only popping into the shop for a minute.
• Take your dog for a walk during daylight when fireworks are less likely to be let off.
• Avoid leaving your pets alone – they will feel safer with you around.
• Stay calm and act normally, this will help your pet to feel safer and lets them know there is nothing to fear.

• If you have a rabbit or other small animal, bring their hutch or cage inside to a quiet room, garage or shed.
• Provide your pet with extra bedding so they can hide away.
• If you cannot bring the hutch inside then turn the hutch to face the wall instead of towards the open garden.
• Cover the hutch or cage with thick blankets or a quilt so your pet isn’t able to see the flashes.

• Don’t leave your horse in a field next to where a display or a bonfire is going to take place.
• Try to keep your horse in a stable. If your horse is upset by the noise, try shutting the top door.
• Try to be with your horse to settle him or her if you know that they are nervous of fireworks.
• Don’t tie your horse up even if you are with him or her. A sudden noise could make your horse pull back suddenly, leading to injury.
• Sometimes leaving the radio on in the stables helps to keep a horse calm.
• If you know that your horse is nervous of fireworks, seek veterinary advice. It may be appropriate to prescribe a sedative paste.

For your safety and the safety of all pets the best thing to do is to attend an organised display. If you must hold your own display then please remember these points.

• Buy fireworks that meet BS7114 from a shop you know, and keep them in a closed box.
• Follow the specific instructions on each firework.
• Light fireworks at arms length using a taper, never a naked flame.
• Stand well back. Never go back to a firework once it has been lit.
• Never put fireworks in a pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.
• Always keep pets indoors.