Diwali Crackers and Your Dog: A Safety Plan

Why crackers scare dogs so much

Dogs hear far more than we do. Their hearing runs from about 67 Hz to 45,000 Hz, against about 64 Hz to 23,000 Hz for people, and they pick up fainter sounds too. A cracker that sounds loud to you is louder and sharper to your dog.

Crackers are also very loud by design. Indian rules ban crackers that go above 125 dB(AI) at 4 metres from where they burst. On Laxmi Poojan in 2022, noise readings in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai went up to 89 dB(A) by day and 87 dB(A) at night. The limit for homes is 55 dB(A) by day and 45 at night.

Add sudden flashes, burning smells and smoke, and it is easy to see why a calm dog can panic.

Signs your dog is scared of crackers

Noise fear is common. In a UK study, almost half of dog owners reported at least one sign of fear of loud noises, and a study of 5,257 dogs in Norway found about 1 in 5 showed strong fear of fireworks.

Watch for:

• Panting, drooling or trembling
• Pacing and not settling
• Hiding under beds or behind furniture
• Trying to escape, or scratching at doors
• Barking, whining or howling
• Toilet accidents in the house
• Clinging to you and following you everywhere

Some dogs show quieter signs, like going still or refusing food. For more on stress signals, read signs of anxiety in dogs.

Two weeks before Diwali: get ready

• Get your dog used to the sound. Play recordings of crackers at a very low volume, for 5 to 10 minutes, a few times a day, while your dog eats or plays. Raise the volume slowly over the days, only as long as your dog stays relaxed.
• Check the collar and tag. Put your phone number on a tag and make sure the collar fits. A scared dog can slip a loose collar and run.
• Set up a safe den. Pick a quiet inner room, ideally with few windows. Put your dog's bed, water and a favourite toy there, and cover a crate with a blanket if your dog likes one.
• Talk to your vet if your dog panics every year. Your vet can prescribe medicine for noise fear, and it works best when planned before the festival.

Sound training works best over weeks or months, so if Diwali is close, start anyway and keep going for next year.

On Diwali day and night: the safety plan

1. Walk your dog early. Take a long walk in daylight, before the first crackers start. Use a leash, even if your dog is usually fine off it.
2. Feed dinner early. A fed, tired dog settles more easily, and many dogs won't eat once the noise starts.
3. Close windows and curtains. This cuts some of the noise and hides the flashes.
4. Play music or keep the TV on. Steady background sound helps mask the bangs.
5. Keep doors and gates shut. Guests coming and going give a scared dog the chance to slip out. Put up a baby gate or keep your dog in the den room.
6. Stay home with your dog. If you can, don't leave a scared dog alone on the loudest night.
7. Never burst crackers near your dog, and never take your dog out to watch them.

Should you comfort a scared dog?

Yes. An old belief says comforting a scared dog "rewards" the fear. Vet behaviour experts now say you can't reinforce fear by comforting your dog.

If your dog comes to you, sit with them, speak softly, and stroke them if they like it. If your dog prefers to hide, let them, and don't pull them out. What you should never do is scold or punish a frightened dog. It makes the fear worse.

Diwali sweets, diyas and other dangers at home

Keep sweet boxes and puja thalis on high shelves, and ask guests not to feed your dog from their plate. Keep your dog away from rangoli while it is being made, because synthetic colours are made from chemicals that aren't meant to be eaten.

The morning after: smoke and cracker waste

Cracker smoke can irritate a dog's airways and cause coughing or trouble breathing. Flat-faced breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs, older dogs and dogs with heart or lung problems are most at risk. Keep windows shut on the worst nights and keep outdoor time short until the air clears.

Before the morning walk, check your gate, balcony and the street outside for burnt crackers. Keep your dog on a short leash so they can't pick up and chew the waste.

Do calming tablets and diffusers work?

They can help some dogs, but none of them replace the plan above.

• Pheromone diffusers and collars: reviews of the research find some benefit for storm and noise fear, but the evidence is weak overall.
• Calming supplements: research on calming supplements in dogs is still limited. Herbal calming tablets, such as Richpet Mind Calming Tablets, are made for stress from fireworks, travel and vet visits. Use them with the steps above, at the dose for your dog's weight.
• Vet-prescribed medicine: for dogs with severe fear, a randomised trial on New Year's Eve found that a prescription medicine reduced fear signs. Only your vet can decide if your dog needs one.

See our dog supplements range for calming and everyday support.

If your dog runs away, and how to help street dogs

Animal shelters and volunteers report a rise in lost dogs around fireworks and Diwali. If your dog bolts:

• Search your building, stairwells, parking and nearby gullies first. Scared dogs often hide close by.
• Post a clear photo with your phone number on your society and local WhatsApp groups.
• Tell the guards, local shopkeepers and nearby vet clinics.

Street and community dogs have no safe room to hide in. Leave out water and some food in a quiet corner, ask your society not to burst crackers near where they sleep, and speak up if you see anyone throwing crackers at animals. If you feed a street dog regularly, a collar with your number can bring it back to you if it runs.

When to call your vet

Call your vet straight away if your dog:

• Has eaten crackers, burnt cracker waste, chocolate, raisins or sugar-free sweets
• Has a burn on the nose, mouth or paws
• Is vomiting, has diarrhoea, is shaking or has a seizure
• Is coughing or struggling to breathe
• Got hurt trying to escape
• Stays in a panic for hours and won't settle

Save your nearest vet clinic's number in your phone before Diwali, and check which clinics are open over the festival days.

Plan ahead,
and Diwali stays happy.

A quiet room, an early walk, your company and a tag with your number. That is most of the plan.