Living in Malaysia, lively festivals and long holidays come round all year — Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, each lighting up the city in its own joyful way. But behind the celebrations, someone is quietly trembling: the pets who are terrified of fireworks and firecrackers.

What's beautiful to us is, to a dog or cat, "a sudden, deafening bang with no explanation." Restrictions aren't always followed here, and on festival nights the loud noises go on for days. On top of that, this is a land of frequent afternoon-to-evening thunderstorms. In other words, both festive-season fireworks and everyday thunder drive pet stress and escapes. This guide covers how to spot fear, get through the night, prevent escapes, and arrange holiday boarding — all from a resident owner's point of view.

First, here's a vet-informed explainer on noise fear in dogs.

1. Why Malaysia's festivals and holidays are hard on pets

Fireworks and firecrackers are largely restricted by law in Malaysia. Even so, when festival season arrives, loud bangs ring out from everywhere and the whole city comes alive. Chinese New Year in particular runs intermittently for about 15 days, and the noise can carry on late into the night.

The table below sums up the main events that affect pets, and the firework/firecracker tendencies of each. Dates shift from year to year, but knowing the pattern makes it easier to prepare.

Malaysia's animal welfare groups raise this issue again and again. One group reported a dog that bolted in fright at fireworks and was found 10 days later in a completely different area, and another that went missing the same way and never came home. Small animals like birds and rabbits can even die from a sudden loud noise alone. "A short moment of fun can leave a lasting wound on an animal" — that line from a local rescue is one we owners should keep in mind. If you keep a rabbit or hamster, see our rabbit & hamster guide too.

2. Signs of fear of fireworks, firecrackers and thunder

Fear of noise isn't "being difficult" — it's genuine fear. A dog's hearing is many times sharper than ours, so the sound reaches them far louder and harsher than it does us. It starts with noticing the signs your dog or cat is giving.

The way they react differs a little between dogs and cats. Dogs roughly fall into three types: trying to flee outside, freezing and hiding, or clinging hard to their owner. Many bolt into the bathroom or under the sofa. Cats tend to hide, or their fear can turn into lashing out at their owner or another cat. Either way, if they seem off, take it as a sign they may be frightened.

3. Getting through the night

Once the noise starts, there's only so much you can do — which is why setting up the environment matters. Here are the basics.

How you behave matters too. If you fret, that anxiety passes to your pet, so keep your usual, calm manner as much as you can. At the same time, you don't have to force yourself to ignore them. If they come seeking closeness, it's fine to sit quietly with them. And a pet who hides away on their own is best left alone — don't drag them out.

4. The biggest danger: escapes and lost pets

The thing to avoid most with noise fear is a panicked pet bolting outside. Even though fireworks and thunder come from outdoors, oddly enough many dogs try to "escape out of the house." Once they start running, even a normally recall-reliable dog can end up far away, utterly disoriented. In Malaysia too, lost dogs are reported to rise every Chinese New Year.

To prevent escapes, check the following.

• Block routes to doors and windows — for example, use a double barrier at the entrance
• If kept outdoors, check fences in advance for gaps or holes they could slip through
• On walks and outings, hold the leash short and don't let go (never take them to a fireworks display)
• Never tether a panicking pet with a chain or short lead — it risks strangulation
• Excitement lingers after the noise stops, so keep up escape precautions and don't drop your guard

5. Leaving home over the holidays: boarding & sitters

Over a long holiday, "what to do about the empty house" is as much a worry as the fireworks. Around Chinese New Year and Hari Raya especially, with so many people heading to their hometowns or travelling, boarding and sitters get booked up early. Move early so you're not left with "everywhere is full."

Whichever you choose, hand over the vaccination records, usual food, any medications and your vet's contact details. In the hot season, mind the car temperature during transport too — see our heatstroke guide for staying cool.

6. Preparing in advance (sound training & advice)

If you're thinking "next year, let's make it calmer," it helps to start preparing before the season. A well-known approach is desensitisation training: play firework or thunder sounds at a low volume, and reward calm behaviour with a treat. Raise the volume little by little, linking the sound with good things.

One caution, though. To "get them used to it," never play loud sounds suddenly — that only deepens the fear and makes things worse. Noise phobia tends to worsen with repeated exposure and is hard to overcome alone. If your pet trembles badly, won't eat, or panics, talk to a vet early. If your regular clinic can't manage it, a behaviour-medicine practice is an option — see our guide to vet clinics in Malaysia for finding one.

7. Festive-season dangers: toxic food, heat & decorations

Beyond noise and escapes, festival season brings a few easily-missed dangers. A lively table is full of temptation for a pet. The feast often features onion and garlic, chocolate and grapes — foods that are toxic to dogs and cats. Guests may slip them "just a little," so it helps to ask family and visitors not to feed them. See our toxic foods guide for dogs and cats.

On top of that, firework and firecracker debris can be poisonous if eaten, so clear the yard or balcony before a walk. Swallowed decoration strings, plastic and small ornaments, bolting through a door left open as guests arrive, and being left outdoors in the heat are all more common at this time. Just keep a slightly closer eye on things than usual.

8. A few notes for residents

In many places fireworks are a summer event lasting only a few days. In Malaysia, though, they sound at every festival and thunder is frequent all year, so "noise readiness" isn't seasonal — it's an everyday part of life here. Many residents only realise this difference after they've settled in.

There's also the matter of trips home. For many residents, a visit back overlaps with a long holiday — and whether you bring your pet or board them, options are limited in peak season, so early preparation pays off. Just in case, save a vet that handles after-hours care and your emergency contacts to your phone before the season. Our pet emergency contacts list for Malaysia gathers these together. Calm preparation is the best safeguard of all.

FAQ

Q1. When my pet is scared, is it OK to hold or comfort them?

The general advice is to stay calm and act as normal, because if you make a fuss, that anxiety transfers to them. But you don't have to refuse all contact. If your pet seeks closeness, it's fine to sit quietly with them. A pet who hides on their own is best left alone — don't force them out.

Q2. Does playing firework sounds loudly help them get used to it?

No — it backfires, so please don't. Sudden loud sounds only deepen the fear. To acclimatise, start at a very low volume paired with treats and raise it gradually only while your pet stays calm — desensitisation done slowly over time. Severe cases are hard to manage alone, so work with a vet or behaviour specialist.

Q3. Are rabbits, hamsters and birds frightened by fireworks too?

Yes — small animals are actually very vulnerable to loud noise and need extra care. Local rescues report that birds and rabbits can fall ill or even die from a sudden loud noise alone. Move the cage to a quiet inner room, drape a cloth to soften light and sound, and keep the temperature steady. See our small-animal guide for more.

Q4. Is it OK to use calming medication?

For severe fear, anti-anxiety medication or supplements can help — but only with a vet's examination and prescription. Giving over-the-counter human medicines on your own judgement is dangerous. Consult before the season so you're set up with the right approach on the night.

Q5. What about Chinese New Year, when fireworks go on for days?

For multi-day stretches, beyond the nightly measures it's important to "keep the environment consistent." Set up the same quiet room each night and make sound masking a routine. If they truly can't settle, temporarily boarding them at a quiet friend's home or a pet hotel away from fireworks is an option. Keep up escape precautions and microchip checks throughout the period.