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The most stressful night of the year

December 31st, 11:30 PM.

Your dog:

  • Panting.
  • Trembling.
  • Hiding.
  • Trying to escape.

Start of fireworks:

  • Guaranteed trauma.
  • Thousands of dogs flee every year.
  • Veterinary emergency services overwhelmed.

Yet: with preparation, it can be manageable.

Let’s see how.

The numbers of Italian New Year's Eve

Sad statistics:

  • Thousands of lost dogs every New Year's Eve.
  • Hundreds of incidents in veterinary emergency care.
  • Acute heart problems in fearful dogs.
  • Stress for dozens of hours afterwards (for days).

Every year the story repeats.

The fear of fireworks

Characteristics:

  • 20-50% of dogs have some degree of phobia.
  • 5-10% have severe phobia.

Causes:

  • Sudden noise (>100 dB).
  • Vibrations.
  • Sudden flashes.
  • Gunpowder smell.

Without intervention:

  • It worsens every year.

Preparation: weeks in advance

Step 1: veterinary visit

At least 4 weeks before:

  • Discuss phobia with the veterinarian.
  • Evaluate pharmacological options.
  • Check general health (heart problems exacerbated by stress).

Step 2: microchip

Updated:

  • Correct owner number.
  • Address.

For escaping dogs:

  • Life-saving.

Step 3: GPS collar (optional)

For very fearful dogs:

  • GPS tracker.
  • Tractive, Whistle.
  • €50-150.

Step 4: "safe box"

Set up 2-3 weeks beforehand:

What you need:

  • Closed kennel or box.
  • Thick blankets.
  • Used t-shirt of the owner (scent).
  • Placed in a central area of the house (away from windows).

See the article "Dog afraid of thunder" for details.

Managing New Year's Eve

New Year's Day

Morning/afternoon:

  • Long walk (1-2 hours).
  • Tired dog = less reactive.
  • Never an evening outing.

Evening:

  • Early meal (by 6 PM).
  • Well-fed dog.

Hours before the fireworks (7 PM-10 PM)

Preparing the environment:

"Refuge" room:

  • Internal room (away from windows).
  • Closed curtains.
  • Lights on.

Noise coverage:

  • TV on (normal volume).
  • Relaxing music:
    • "Through a Dog's Ear".
    • Spotify "Dog music".
  • White noise.

Temperature regulation:

  • Cool room (stressed dog overheats).

During the fireworks (10 PM-1 AM)

What to do:

Stay with the dog:

  • Calm.
  • Normal voice.
  • No excessive cuddling (reinforces anxiety).
  • No scolding.

Distraction:

  • Play if the dog accepts.
  • Stuffed Kong.
  • Snacks.

Let him hide:

  • If he seeks the safe box, let him.
  • Don’t force him out.

What NOT to do

  • ❌ Dramatic cuddling:
    • "Poor thing, poor thing" = reinforces anxiety.
  • ❌ Scolding:
    • "Calm down!" = increases stress.
  • ❌ Forcing them to go outside:
    • Neither for bathroom.
    • Nor to "get used to it".
  • ❌ Leaving the dog alone.
  • ❌ Opening the door/window during fireworks.
  • ❌ Keeping the dog in the yard without supervision.

The medications

Sileo (Dexmedetomidine gel)

Specific for noise phobia:

  • Oral gel.
  • Effect in 1 hour.
  • Lasts 3 hours.
  • Safe, no deep sedation.

Cost: €30-50 per dose.

Veterinary prescription required.

Trazodone

Anxiolytic:

  • 1-2 hours before.
  • Duration of effect.

Cost: €1-5 per dose.

Veterinary prescription.

Gabapentin

Anxiolytic/anticonvulsant:

  • 2 hours before.
  • Relaxing effect.

Cost: €1-3 per dose.

Never

  • ❌ Acepromazine (old sedative):
    • "It would sedate the body but not the anxiety".
    • Not recommended.
  • ❌ Human medications:
    • Dangerous.

The natural remedies

Feliway/Adaptil

Synthetic pheromones (Adaptil for dogs):

  • Plug-in diffuser.
  • Collar.
  • Cumulative effect (days).

Cost: €30-50.

Thundershirt

Anti-anxiety shirt:

  • Exercises constant pressure.
  • "Hug" effect.

Cost: €40-60.

Rescue Remedy

Bach flowers:

  • Drops in the mouth.
  • Mild effect.

CBD

Increasing use:

  • Under veterinary control.
  • Variability in product quality.

For escaping dogs

Prevention

  • Updated microchip.
  • Secure gate/fence.
  • Never loose during New Year's Eve.

If he escapes

What to do:

  1. Search immediately (first 24 hours).
  2. Notify:
    • Neighbors.
    • Local veterinarians.
    • Municipal shelters.
  3. Social media: photo, description.
  4. Poster to hang.
  5. App:
    • Petsfinder.
    • Smartdog.

After 48 hours: risk increases.

Desensitization (long-term)

For fearful dogs:

Start 4-6 months before:

  1. Download recordings of fireworks (Spotify, YouTube).
  2. Very low volume during food/play.
  3. Gradually increase over months.
  4. Dog associates fireworks with "nice things".

Result after 1-2 years:

  • Drastic reduction in phobia.

What to do the day after

Morning of January 1st

Normal routine:

  • Go out with the dog (pick up yours and others' waste if the dog is hungry).

Check:

  • Does the dog seem okay?
  • Any residual stress symptoms?

If still stressed:

  • Keep the environment calm.
  • Even in the following days.

Recovery

Timing:

  • Acute stress: 24-48 hours.
  • Prolonged stress: weeks.

The "everyday fireworks"

Not just New Year's Eve:

  • Summer festivals.
  • Patron saint festivals.
  • Sporting events (victory).

Check the calendar:

  • Events in your area.

The most fearful breeds

Generally sensitive:

  • North breeds (sensitive to noise).
  • Toy breeds.
  • Sensitive shepherd breeds.
  • Ex-stray breeds (past experiences).

Statistically:

  • All breeds have fearful individuals.

The "New Year's group" on social media

In recent years:

  • Movement to ban noisy fireworks.
  • "Silent fireworks" alternatives.

Adopt causes:

  • Petitions.
  • Awareness for neighbors.

The myths to debunk

  • Myth 1: "Dogs get used to it".
  • False: it often gets worse.
  • Myth 2: "Cuddling calms them down".
  • False: it reinforces anxiety.
  • Myth 3: "All dogs are fearful".
  • False: some are indifferent.
  • Myth 4: "Only New Year's counts".
  • False: every event with fireworks.
  • Myth 5: "Medications are harmful".
  • False: Sileo is specific and safe.

The costs

Preparation:

  • Sileo (3-4 doses): €100-200.
  • Adaptil: €30-50.
  • Thundershirt: €40-60.
  • GPS collar: €80-150.

Total: €250-450 (one-time, lasts for years).

Benefit:

  • Dog not in trauma.
  • You calm.
  • No dramatic escapes.

The truth

New Year's Eve can be one of the most stressful moments for a dog.

Strategy:

  1. Preparation weeks in advance.
  2. Veterinary visit + medications if necessary.
  3. Updated microchip.
  4. Safe environment in the evening.
  5. Never go outside during fireworks.
  6. Your own calm: the dog reflects your emotion.
  7. Long-term desensitization.

Result:

  • Dog manages the night.
  • Without trauma.
  • Maintain his heart (and yours).

And remember: every year gets better if well prepared.

Invest time and attention. Your dog will thank you every New Year's Eve.

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