If you’re wondering how to calm a dog during Sant Joan fireworks, you’re not alone.
The Sant Joan festivities are highly anticipated in Catalonia, but the atmosphere of lights, music, and especially fireworks can become a real nightmare for many dogs and cats. In Barcelona, where this celebration reaches its peak, every year hundreds of families seek veterinary help for the anxiety symptoms their pets display and to learn how to calm a dog during Sant Joan fireworks. At Animal Salut, and drawing on our direct clinical experience, we explain how to prepare beforehand, what to do during, and how to care for your pet afterwards to ensure the well-being of your furry companion, always complying with the current regulations on veterinary medication.
Why are many dogs afraid of fireworks?
Up to 74% of dogs show signs of fear in response to loud noises like fireworks, according to various studies. This extreme sensitivity is explained by their keen sense of hearing and smell: for them, a blast can be perceived as five times more intense than for a human, and they also detect gunpowder residue for hours. This natural response can intensify and evolve into a phobia if untreated, causing tachycardia, hyperventilation, or even physical and mental freezing from panic.
Among the most common symptoms are trembling, defensive postures such as tail between the legs and ears laid back, dilated pupils, excessive salivation, escape attempts, and intense vocalizations. In more severe cases, some animals may even involuntarily urinate or defecate due to extreme panic.
How to anticipate your dog’s fear during Sant Joan
It is common for many families to wait until the last days to act, but this can limit therapeutic options and reduce their effectiveness. That’s why, at Animal Salut, we recommend anticipating and planning ahead:
- Create a safe zone at home, small, isolated, and with familiar objects (blankets, toys, pheromones). If your dog seeks refuge under the bed or inside a closet, allow it without forcing it to come out.
- Use pheromones or calming diffusers from one week before, as environmental support.
- Start treatment with natural nutraceuticals 7 to 10 days before if you know your pet suffers from anxiety. These products help modulate the emotional response without side effects.
- Take long walks during the day, preferably in the morning, so they arrive more tired in the evening. Exercise helps lower physiological arousal levels.
- Conduct controlled noise simulations weeks in advance (with videos of fireworks or firecrackers at low volume, progressively increasing), as part of gradual desensitization.
- Practice scent games or treat searches at home in the days before to foster an attitude of exploration and focus on pleasurable tasks.
- Do not leave the animal alone during the festivities. If you cannot stay, consider leaving it with a trusted person or in a specialized boarding facility.
At Animal Salut, we offer the Preventive Calm Pack, a tailored solution for regular clients seeking to prevent their pets’ stress during these particularly sensitive times.
What to do during the Sant Joan festivities: key actions to protect your dog
When night falls on Sant Joan, as the noises and lights of the festivities intensify:
- Close windows and shutters. Turn on the TV or radio with relaxing music to muffle outside noise. If you have a speaker or soundbar, use it to create a more uniform sound environment.
- Dim the home lighting to create a sense of tranquility. Soft lighting helps keep your pet calm.
- Stay close to your dog without forcing physical contact if they don’t want it. Some prefer to isolate themselves, others will seek your company. Respect their need.
- Avoid new routines. The more predictable the day, the better they will manage the situation.
- Do not leave them alone. It is essential that your pet has you nearby. Your presence is a crucial emotional buffer.
- Do not scold or console excessively. Convey normality. Try to speak to them in a soft, relaxed voice, as if nothing were happening.
- Offer long-lasting toys or treats if they are calm: a stuffed kong, a natural bone, or a churpi can keep them occupied during the peak noise.
- Use gentle massages or strokes if your dog allows it. They can induce relaxation and reduce cortisol.
- Constantly monitor the environment: make sure doors and windows are closed to prevent unexpected escapes.
- Don’t forget to have fresh water available at all times. Some dogs may pant or drool more than usual due to stress.
- Stay calm yourself as an owner. Your attitude directly influences how your dog perceives the situation. If you remain calm, your pet is more likely to be calm too.
Veterinary care if medication is needed: what you need to know
Since 2025, with the entry into force of RD 666/2023, anxiolytics and sedatives can only be dispensed after an up-to-date clinical review. This means that, by law, it is not permitted to sell a medication directly without having previously conducted a recent veterinary visit. It must be your regular veterinarian who evaluates the case and recommends the most appropriate treatment.
At Animal Salut, we have adapted our protocol and offer:
- Express Visits to assess and prescribe sedatives.
- Sedative packs without prescription for cases without history.
- Digital records in accordance with the law and with guaranteed traceability.
As we usually inform during consultations: “For legal responsibility and in compliance with current regulations, we can only dispense these medications after a prior veterinary review and the corresponding prescription.”
Walks, possible escapes, and additional safety tips
- Take your dog for a walk early, before the fireworks begin.
- Use a harness and short leash; never let them off-leash even if they normally obey.
- If they need to go out during the noise, take short walks close to home.
Trust the veterinary team and plan ahead
At Animal Salut, we are aware of how challenging this time of year can be for animals and their families. That is why we are committed to being by your side with solutions tailored to each situation:
- We see patients at our veterinary center in Barcelona.
- We offer an online consultation for case follow-up.
- We perform home visits for greater convenience.
Our team is always ready to offer you solutions tailored to each case, from natural approaches and preventive strategies to the use of anxiolytics when indicated and with all legal guarantees. We accompany you every step of the way with closeness, professionalism, and commitment.
Final reflection: protect your dog’s emotional well-being
The Sant Joan festivities can be experienced with joy or become a source of stress, depending on how the environment is prepared and the animal’s needs are addressed. With proper anticipation, knowing how to calm a dog during Sant Joan fireworks, the help of a trusted veterinary team, and well-planned resources, it is possible to significantly reduce the fear this celebration provokes. At Animal Salut, we are here to offer you support, personalized solutions, and peace of mind throughout the process.
Do you want to book your appointment?
Contact us today and schedule your veterinary appointment to prepare your pet for Sant Joan fireworks. Our team can see you at home, at the center, or via video call, always with tailored and legal solutions.
Call us at 93 340 74 04 or write to centre@animalsalut.com
