Fireworks cause significant fear and distress in many companion animals. The welfare impact of fireworks events is substantial and affects millions of pets annually across the world.
Fireworks phobia causes acute suffering in millions of companion animals annually. The unpredictability and intensity of fireworks triggers profound fear responses in noise-sensitive individuals that can last for hours. Many animals are in genuine distress for the entire duration of events that may extend across multiple evenings during seasonal celebrations. The welfare solution requires both treatment for affected individuals and societal changes that reduce unnecessary firework use in residential areas. Silent or low-noise fireworks exist and are increasingly available as an alternative that preserves the visual spectacle while dramatically reducing the acoustic disturbance causing welfare harm.