Last Updated: 29/10/2025
New Year's Eve Pet Safety & Anxiety: Vet Guide
New Year's Eve fireworks and loud parties are a major source of anxiety for dogs and cats. Our vet's guide provides a checklist for before, during, and after the event. Learn how to create a safe space and manage anxiety.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 11 minutes - short read
As we prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations, it's important to remember that the festivities can be overwhelming for our furry companions. For many pets, loud fireworks and bustling social gatherings are a significant source of anxiety.
While dogs and cats often find the sudden, loud bangs of fireworks the most frightening, cats can find a house full of unfamiliar people just as stressful. Fortunately, you can manage both of these anxiety triggers with a similar approach to help your pet feel safe and secure.
Why are pets scared of fireworks and parties?
There are a number of reasons why pets find fireworks frightening:
1. Fireworks are loud
Firstly, they're incredibly noisy - and while the sound may be bearable for us, pets have a more acute sense of hearing than us. So all of those those loud cracks, booms, and rumbling whistles can be unbearable.
2. Fireworks are unexpected
While we expect fireworks on holidays like New Years Eve, our pets aren't aware of the calendar and these explosions come without warning. This can lead many of them to perceive them as a threat, which in turn triggers their fight-or-flight response.
3. Fireworks are inescapable
Fireworks can make your pet feel trapped and unable to escape. So if the noises trigger your dog or cat's flight response, they will try to run from the threat. Unfortunately, there's often nowhere to go, as they can still hear those loud booms indoors.
Read more about Storm and Noise Phobias in Dogs.
Signs of anxiety in dogs and cats
Signs of anxiety in dogs include:
- Licking lips
- Panting
- Continuously moving around
- Shaking or trembling
- Barking
- Aggression
- Destroying furniture or objects
- Urinating in inappropriate places
Signs of anxiety in cats include:
- Hiding
- Refusing to eat
- Aggression
- Urinating in inappropriate places
- Hyperactivity
- Panting (shown in extreme stress)
Learn more in our articles:
How to prepare your pet before the event
When to exercise and feed?
A well-fed and tired pet is less likely to be anxious. Planning exercise and feeding times well before the event is a key step in managing stress.
Exercise your pet
- Time it right: Aim to exercise your pet a few hours before any parties or fireworks begin. This helps tire them out and get some positive endorphins flowing.
- For cats: A good play session of 20-30 minutes with plenty of chasing and jumping is ideal. Be sure to do this before any guests arrive.
- For dogs: Take them on a long walk in the afternoon or early evening.
- Be weather-wise: Avoid exercise during extreme heat. Be particularly careful with flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs or French Bulldogs, as they don't tolerate long walks in warm weather.
Feed your pet early
- Feed before the stress starts: Stressed pets will often refuse to eat. It's important to feed your pet a full meal before the party preparations or fireworks begin. A pet with a full tummy is more likely to settle down and feel less anxious.
Update Microchip Details
Of course you should always keep your pet's microchip details up to date, but it is extra important around storm and fireworks season. If your phone number has changed since your pet was first registered, you won't be able to be contacted if your pet goes missing. Just in case your pet escapes or becomes lost, you will be reunited with them much quicker if the details are correct.
Not sure how to update your microchip details? Follow these steps:
1. Locate your pet's microchip number
This may be recorded on paperwork you have for your pet, such as a vaccination book or adoption records. In Australia, microchip numbers are 15 digits long. If you can't find the microchip number in your paperwork, you'll need to take your pet in to your local vet and have their chip scanned.
2. Find out which database your pet is registered with
Unfortunately, microchip registration in Australia is not centralised, and there are a number of different databases your pet's chip may be registered with. Visit the Pet Address website and input your pet's microchip number to find out which database you need to contact.
3. Update details through this specific database website
Calming supplements and anxiety aids
Ask your vet about options for stress management. Your veterinarian can assess your pet and provide a management plan to help them cope with stressful situations such as fireworks. Some strategies that might be implemented include the use of pheromones, prescription medication and behaviour modification techniques.
Calming Products
Pheromones
Pheromones are unique chemical substances produced by animals and play a role in establishing feelings of wellbeing and emotional stability. Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats are synthetic versions that are safe, odourless and easy to use. In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may be required for pets displaying signs of a phobia such as salivating, shaking, pacing, and destructive behaviour.
Anxiety Wraps
Similar to 'swaddling' a baby in a blanket, anxiety wraps like the ThunderShirt work by applying gentle pressure to the torso, helping to reduce stress and fear. Cats benefit from having access to a safe haven, such as a hideaway bed.
Calming Supplements
There are a range of nutraceuticals which may have a calming effect on dogs and cats who experience noise phobia or anxiety. These calming aids or prescription medication should be administered at least 30 minutes prior to the fireworks.
Calming supplement ingredients
Calming supplements contain a variety of ingredients, such as:
For more information, read through our article on How to Calm an Anxious Pet.
Managing stress during the event
Provide a Safe Haven
Ideally, bring your pet indoors and into a 'safe haven' which should be a quiet, darkened room where they can't injure themselves - similar to a 'den'.
Some pets may have a special spot they like to go to where they feel secure, and you can allow them to do so as long as it's safe. Deck this area out with a cosy bed, their favourite toys, and use those pheromone products we mentioned before. If your pet is crate trained, ensure to include the crate in this safe haven.
Never tether your pet to a lead during fireworks, as this can result in serious injuries if they get a fright and try to escape.
Play Music
It may be tempting to bust out some loud 90's pop music - it is New Years after all, and who doesn't love the Spice Girls! But within your pet's safe haven, consider playing some calming meditation music, Enya, or similiar music in an effort to distract your pet from the bangs and crackles happening outside.
Check out our Calming Playlists for Dogs and Cats on Spotify.
Celebrate At Home
If possible, stay at home so you can directly supervise your pet. Fearful animals are much more likely to settle if their pet parent is close by. If you have friends over, try to keep them away from your pet's safe haven, and be sure not to let rowdy, intoxicated guests stress out your pet.
Act Calm
Remember to act calmly and avoid fussing over your pet too much. Although it feels natural to reassure your pet with praise and attention, it can actually positively reinforce their fearful behaviour.
If possible, try and engage them in normal activities such as playing, or ignore them altogether. It's also important to reward your pet for displaying calm behaviour and to never punish them as this will only heighten their fear.
After the party is over
Watch out for dangerous leftover food
Our drooly friends might try all the tricks to get their paws on one of those left over sausages, but it's not worth the risk if it means a trip to the vet.
Some popular festive foods that should be kept well out of reach of your furry friend include ham and fatty meats, chocolate, alcohol, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, sultanas, mango seeds, onion and garlic. Treat them the right way with some drool-worthy (AND healthy) treats designed just for them.
Read more in our articles Dangerous Festive Food and Pancreatitis in Dogs.
The importance of rehydration
Make sure you leave plenty of fresh water out for your pets before you hit the hay. Animals who are stressed and have been panting and pacing will also require more water than usual. Plus, New Year's Day is during the hottest time of the year so it's extra important to ensure they're kept hydrated.
Consider a water fountain, some of which can hold over 2L of water at a time. Cats and dogs also naturally prefer to drink from running water, and most contain a filter to ensure that the water always stays clean and fresh.
There are also automated feeders which means you wont have to do a thing! With the capability to schedule up to four separate meals, your pet doesn't need to wake you up to get their morning brekky!
FAQs
New Year's Eve can be a stressful time for pets, but with careful preparation, it can be managed safely. By understanding the triggers, creating a secure 'safe haven', and being aware of post-party dangers like toxic foods, you can help your pet feel more secure. If your pet experiences severe anxiety, it is always best to consult your local veterinarian for a specific management plan.
Articles recommended for you
Our vet authored guide to the benefits of feeding your dog fresh food plus tips and advice for introducing it into their regular menu.
See our guide to protecting your pet from parasites from our vet team.
Thinking of getting a fish? Check out our guide for setting up a tank and home care tips!
Looking to understand horse feeds better? This comprehensive guide covers feeding recommendations for horses of all ages and disciplines.
Does your pet suffer from anxiety? Check out our Vet-guide for treatment options to help your pet.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 29 Oct 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
