Short answer. Fireworks night is won in the afternoon. Walk your dog in daylight, close the curtains, set up a den, put on two layers of sound and stay home. For holiday travel, secure your dog in the car, stop every two hours, and check your airline's December pet rules before you book anything. Nothing you can feed your dog replaces that list.
How common is it for dogs to be scared of fireworks?
Very. A 2020 study in the journal Scientific Reports looked at 13,715 pet dogs in Finland. About a third, 32%, were highly fearful of at least one noise, and fireworks were the most common trigger, at 26%. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association says fear of fireworks is the most common noise fear in companion dogs, with several studies putting it as high as 49%.
So if your dog spends midnight wedged behind the toilet, they are in large company.
What should I do before the fireworks start?
- Walk early. The Ontario SPCA says to walk your dog before dark. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center suggests moving toilet breaks earlier in the day too.
- Build the den ahead of time. The RSPCA advises setting up a quiet space in advance and letting your dog come and go from it. A crate with a blanket over it works, and so does the spot they already hide in.
- Close everything. Windows, curtains and pet doors, says the Ontario SPCA.
- Layer the sound. The BC SPCA suggests music, radio or TV. Cornell suggests two sounds at once, such as white noise and music.
- Check the ID. A collar tag, and microchip or tattoo details that are up to date, in case a door opens at the wrong moment.
- Keep pets home and indoors. That is the BC SPCA's first rule, and it covers cats as well.
What should I do while the fireworks are going off?
Stay with your dog if you can. The Ontario SPCA, the RSPCA and Dogs Trust all advise not leaving a dog alone during fireworks.
Comfort them if they come to you. The RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Cornell all say this is fine. One source reads differently: a VCA Canada handout suggests using trained cues and distraction instead of fussing. Everyone agrees on the rest:
- Never punish or shout at a frightened dog.
- Let them pace or hide. Do not coax them out.
- Do not tie them up outside, leave them in the yard or a car, or take them to watch.
- Keep the water bowl full.
When should I talk to my vet about fireworks?
Before the night, not on it. The CVMA says the earlier help begins, the better the outcome. The BC SPCA says to see your vet before the event if your dog's reaction is extreme. Cornell adds two practical points: behaviour appointments can book up, and anything new your vet prescribes should be tried on a quiet day first.
Sound training takes longer than December allows. Blue Cross suggests starting three to six months ahead with a vet or a behaviourist. That makes January a good time to start for next year.
Do calming supplements help with fireworks?
Here is the honest version. None of the SPCA, RSPCA, CVMA or Cornell pages we read mention supplements for fireworks at all. They point to the checklist above, to training and to your vet. VCA Canada, which does discuss them, says there are few controlled studies and that calming products on their own are rarely enough.
We make a calming chew, so we will be plain about what it is. Trueleaf Calming Support Chews are a daily supplement, given by body weight, to support calm behaviour. They are not something to reach for at 11:45 on December 31. If you want to try a daily chew, start it in early December and judge it over two to four weeks of ordinary days. Our guide on how much to give and how long they take explains how to count the difference instead of guessing.
How do I travel by car with a dog in winter?
- Secure them. The BC SPCA recommends a secured crate or a dog seatbelt inside the vehicle. The American Veterinary Medical Association adds that a crate should be big enough to stand and turn around in, and that dogs belong away from front airbags.
- Stop every two hours. Keep your dog on a leash and tagged at every stop, says the AVMA.
- Feed small. The AVMA suggests food and water in small portions on the road.
- Do not leave them in the car. The AVMA says never to leave a pet alone in a parked vehicle in any weather. The CVMA notes that cars get very cold, and that old, sick or thin-coated pets cope poorly.
Can I fly with my dog in December?
Small dogs in the cabin, usually yes. Dogs in the hold over the holidays, often no. Here is what the airlines and the screening authority said when we checked on November 9, 2026.
- Air Canada, cabin. One cat or small dog per passenger, in a soft-sided carrier. Book your flight, then contact Reservations to register your pet, ideally within 24 hours of booking. Unregistered pets can be refused at the airport.
- Air Canada, hold. From December 18 to January 4, no pets are accepted as checked baggage or cargo. From November 1 to March 31, or whenever it is 0 °C or colder, pets under 4.5 kg are not accepted in the hold.
- WestJet, cabin. A soft-sided kennel no larger than 41 x 21.5 x 25.4 cm, which counts as your personal item. WestJet says space may not be available if you do not request it 48 hours before departure.
- Security screening. CATSA says your pet comes out of the carrier at screening, with the collar or harness left on, and the empty carrier is screened separately. Officers may offer a private search room.
- Food. The CVMA suggests only a small meal on the morning of the flight, and choosing non-stop flights where you can.
Airlines change these rules, so read the airline's own pet page before you book.
What holiday foods and decorations are a risk for dogs and cats?
The AVMA's holiday list is short and worth taping to the fridge:
- Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats.
- Xylitol, a sweetener in some candy and baking, is linked to liver failure in dogs.
- Grapes, raisins and onions are poisonous to pets.
- Meat fat, poultry skin and bones cause trouble of their own.
- Tinsel, ribbon and ornaments can block the gut if swallowed.
- Poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and amaryllis should be kept out of reach.
If your pet eats any of these, call your vet or an emergency clinic.
Where does Trueleaf fit?
Trueleaf Petcare makes veterinarian-formulated supplements for dogs and cats in our own facility in Vernon, BC. Our calming range is made for daily use alongside the routine above, not in place of it. For the same checklist built around October, see Halloween fireworks and your dog or cat.
Common questions
Should I comfort my dog during fireworks?
Yes, if they come looking for it. Most of the animal welfare groups we read say reassurance is fine. Do not force cuddles on a dog who would rather hide.
Can I leave my dog home alone on New Year's Eve?
Better not to, if your dog reacts to fireworks. If you must go out, set up the den, the sound and the closed curtains before you leave, and ask someone your dog knows to stay with them.
What about cats on New Year's Eve?
The RSPCA says to keep cats in after dark, shut the cat flap and give them extra places to hide. Leave them be if they pick the back of the closet.
Advice and airline rules checked on November 9, 2026, on the websites of the organisations named above. This guide is general information and does not replace your veterinarian's advice.
