Preparing Your Beloved Four-Legged Friend for New Years Fireworks: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Countdown 2026: This year, don't let your pet tremble facing fireworks during the festival. Here's an urgent fireworks noise coping guide every pet owner should know before New Year's Eve.

The big festival is approaching: New Year 2026. While humans are excited about parties and spectacular fireworks countdowns, for our beloved four-legged friends—dogs and cats—this time may be the worst nightmare of the year.

Pets have hearing many times more sensitive than humans. A single loud "bang" can scare them into panic, shock, or fleeing from home.

Thairath Online has compiled an easy-to-understand fireworks noise checklist to help you and your pet happily get through New Year's Eve together.

An urgent guide to help pets cope with fireworks noise that every owner must know before the New Year's countdown.

• Create a safe haven.

Before the fireworks start, transform your home into a soundproof fortress by securely closing doors, windows, and ventilation holes. Try to minimize any gaps where noise can enter.

Use sound-absorbing aids such as thick curtains to muffle echoes, or if unavailable, trycomforter blankets,to cover your pet's crate or favorite corner, leaving enough space for easy breathing.

Also, prepare a hidden spot for your pet, as they instinctively seek out narrow, dark places to hide. Clear space under beds, tables, or inside closets where they can safely retreat.

• Mask noise with other sounds.

Complete silence only makes fireworks sounds stand out more. Create a competing atmosphere by turning on the TV and playing soothing music such as classical, jazz, or white noise (like rain or fan sounds) slightly louder than usual to drown out external explosions.

A small tip for pet owners is to search YouTube for "Calming Music for Dogs/Cats"—there are long playlists that can play continuously until morning.

• Distract your pet.

New Year's is a good time to bring out premium treats your pet loves most, as chewing and licking can reduce stress. Also, consider buying a new toy to surprise them during the fireworks to shift focus from fear to play.

• Secret items and common remedies.

A snug-fitting shirt designed to gently hug your pet can provide a sense of security, like being held. Synthetic pheromones, in spray or plug-in diffuser form, can help calm your pet during stressful moments.

What pet owners must absolutely avoid during New Year 2026.

• Do not take pets outside to watch fireworks: No matter how tightly you hold them, never take pets outside or onto balconies. They may panic, break free, and run away.
• Do not scold or hit: If your pet barks or urinates out of fear, scolding will only increase stress. Clean quietly and comfort them instead.
• Do not force your pet out of hiding: If your pet hides, don’t try to pull them out. Let them stay where they feel safest until the noise subsides.

New Year’s is when the highest number of dogs and cats go missing. Check that collars and ID tags are secure and clearly show the owner’s phone number to help pets return home if lost.

This New Year, may you and your four-legged companion safely get through the night of fireworks and wake up to welcome 2026 with joy together.