Fireworks cause severe fear responses in many companion animals, with welfare effects ranging from acute distress to long-term anxiety disorders.
Firework fear is a significant welfare issue affecting millions of companion animals annually. The acute fear response — trembling, panting, hiding, attempting to escape — represents genuine suffering. More concerning is that untreated noise phobia tends to worsen with each exposure, and animals may begin anticipating fear days before firework events. The physiological stress response includes elevated cortisol, increased heart rate, and suppressed immune function. With effective treatments available, failure to address noise phobia represents a preventable welfare cost.