Searches for “dog scared of fireworks” jump 5,400% at Bonfire Night
Every autumn, millions of British pet owners turn to Google in a panic as the bangs begin. We analysed 2021–2025 of UK Google Trends data and found searches for “dog scared of fireworks” surge 55× (5,400%) from their summer low — and peak in the exact week of Bonfire Night, five years running. Cats aren’t spared either.
What the data shows
Firework fear is one of the most predictable spikes in the entire pet calendar. Searches for “dog scared of fireworks” sit near-zero through spring and summer, then explode in late October — reaching 55 times their quietest level. More than nine in ten (92%) of the entire year’s searches for the term are packed into October and November.
It isn’t just dogs. Searches for “cat fireworks” climb around 7.5× over the same window — a reminder that cats, rabbits and other pets are frightened too, even if their owners are less likely to say so out loud.
The firework-panic searches, ranked by spike
Seasonal lift = each term’s peak month vs. its own quietest month (Google Trends, UK, 2021–2025).
| Search term | Pet | Peaks in | Seasonal spike |
|---|---|---|---|
| “dog scared of fireworks” | Dogs | November | 55× (+5,400%) |
| “dog fireworks” | Dogs | October | 22× (+2,100%) |
| “dogs and fireworks” | Dogs | October | 8.8× (+775%) |
| “cat fireworks” | Cats | November | 7.5× (+650%) |
One month owns the whole year
Relative UK search interest in “dog fireworks”, month by month. The line is flat all year — then Bonfire Night hits.
It’s always Bonfire-Night week
The single busiest search week for “dog scared of fireworks” has landed on the week of 5 November every year for the last five — proof this is a fixed, plannable event, not a surprise.
Wales is the UK’s most firework-anxious nation
By relative search interest in “dog fireworks”, Welsh pet owners lead the UK, followed by Scotland.
Index where the highest-scoring nation = 100 (Google Trends relative interest).
How to keep pets calm on fireworks night
Practical steps recommended by the UK’s leading animal-welfare charities:
Exercise and toilet dogs in daylight, before any fireworks are likely to start — once they begin, keep dogs indoors.
Set up a quiet, covered hiding place with familiar bedding where your pet can retreat. Never stop them hiding — it helps them cope.
Close windows, doors and curtains and put the TV or radio on to mask the bangs and flashes.
Don’t punish fearful behaviour. Act relaxed yourself — pets take cues from you — and comfort them if they seek it.
Move cats, rabbits and other small pets indoors or into a quiet outbuilding, and partly cover hutches and runs.
Frightened pets bolt. Make sure microchip and ID details are up to date before the season starts.
For pets that struggle badly, speak to your vet weeks in advance about pheromone diffusers, anxiety wraps or, in severe cases, prescription options.
Worried on the night?
Find your nearest and out-of-hours vet in seconds with our free UK Vet Finder, and browse calming guides for anxious pets.
Sources
Notes & methodology
- Figures are relative Google search interest from Google Trends (via DataForSEO), United Kingdom, over a five-year window (2021–2025), pulled July 2026. Google Trends reports a 0–100 interest index rather than absolute volumes, so we report seasonal lift (peak month vs. quietest month) and relative interest.
- The 92% figure is the mean share of each year’s total interest for “dog scared of fireworks” that falls in October and November across 2021–2025.
- The nation breakdown is Google Trends’ “interest by subregion” for “dog fireworks”, indexed to the top nation = 100.
- Advice is summarised from RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust firework guidance. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet.
- Journalists & researchers: the full dataset, regional cuts and a spokesperson are available — matt@giddypets.co.uk. Free to cite with a link to this page.