Films to Help Calm Your Pet During Fireworks

Do fireworks send your dog doolally or make your cat go crackers (pardon the pun)? There’s few things more horrible than seeing your pet totally freak out over fireworks – if they are anything like mine, they will be shaking, whimpering and hiding under the bed until all the whizzing, popping and banging is over with.

But help is at hand. Actor David Tennent has lent the unmistakably soothing sounds of his voice to two films which have been scientifically developed to help soothe dogs and cats during fireworks. Created by MORE TH>N Pet Insurance, the movies are are playfully entitled Woofering Heights and Peer Window in homage to the Emily Bronte and Alfred Hitchcock classics.

Although to us humans, the short films may seam a little abstract, they are apparently highly compelling viewing for scaredy cats and dogs. Made in collaboration with animal behaviourist Karen Wild and vet Robert White-Adams, every aspect of both films draws on numerous scientific insights into the exact forms of audio and visual content that can at first capture and arouse the attention of a cat or a dog before gradually inducing feelings of relaxation and sleep.

So what’s so soothing about these films? Peer Window is set entirely within a window frame to reflect a cat’s habitual behaviour of staring out of windows for approximately five hours a day. The film depicts looping scenes of fish, swaying trees, rain droplets and rippling water, among other abstract images. Accompanying these scenes are melodic sounds in cat-friendly frequencies and the softly spoken tones of David Tennant. What’s not to love?

And for the dogs, Woofering Heights uses slowly moving pastoral scenery, a cast of sedentary dogs and the relaxing lilt of David Tennant delivering an Emily Bronte-inspired narration full of words and cadences that can calm canines. The film has also been shot entirely in a dog’s colour spectrum of blues and yellows – heightening the canine viewing experience.

In addition to these films, you can try to reduce the impact of fireworks by following the advice from vet Robert White-Adams below:

Take your dog outside during the day and exercise them so they are tired. As with humans, physical exercise induces endorphin release, which amongst other things has a potent anti-anxiety effect.
About an hour before expected fireworks give your dog/cat a medium sized normal meal. The feeling of satiety carries a potent natural anti-anxiety effect.
Move your pet to the area of the house in which you believe they feel most at home.
Cover the windows and doors, and turn on lights – you are aiming to reduce the impact and awareness of light flashes outside.
Put on some background music at a moderate volume – preferably music with a constant and distracting bass or beat. You are aiming to reduce the startling impact of crashes, bangs and whistles from outside.
If your pet is awake and active, try and distract them with gentle, calm play.

Does your cat or dog hate fireworks? Have you tried showing them these films? Give it a go and share your experience in the comments below!

Sara White

Sara is the Founder & Editor of StyleTails. A writer, design-lover and long-time animal-hugger, Sara launched StyleTails in 2012 to inspire people live a more beautiful life with their four-legged friends. Along with her canine sidekick George, a rescue Yorkie with a big attitude, Sara regularly commentates on luxury pet product and lifestyle trends and has been featured in Elle Decoration, BBC Radio, and is also an expert contributor to WGSN, the leading design trend forecaster.