How Do Fireworks Affect Animals?

Fireworks and explosive materials that produce a spark, fumes, and flames, are not just harmful to do the environment but also affect animals. We often get to see the reactions of animals that are close to humans. Since many of us have little furry companions as pets. These animals get scared and frightened by fireworks and their loud noise.

Animals are much more sensitive than humans when it comes to hearing sense. Hence, the explosion of fireworks not just disturbs them but also damages their hearing sense. Noise caused by fireworks can lead to complete hearing loss and tinnitus. Dogs, commonly suffer from irreversible hearing loss if they come close to the sound of a gunshot. A gunshot generates up to 140 decibels of sounds whereas fireworks emit sounds up to 190 decibels. This is much more than the normal hearing range for humans.

The noise caused by fireworks causes stress and fear in animals. Repeated exposure to such noises and disturbing sounds can cause phobias in animals. This phobia might cause them to panic or react abnormally to certain things.

Research suggests that many animals that go missing or run away from their caretakers are due to fear of loud sounds from storms, explosions, or fireworks. The effects of fireworks can be observed in zoos where animals get nervous and start to feel helpless when they hear loud noises.

In addition to this, there are several other reasons through which fireworks affect animals. Here are some of the problems that the following animals face.

Cats

Cats are less affected by fireworks in comparison to other animals. However, when they see fireworks or hear such noises, they tend to hide or escape from their place. Many cats that if exposed to fireworks may consume them and get poisoned.

Dogs

A human ear can hear sounds up to 20,000Hz whereas dogs have three times more capacity than this. Dogs can hear sounds up to 60,000Hz which is why fireworks are more harmful to them. When dogs hear or watch fireworks, they show signs of stress and anxiety. They tend to escape from the sounds and or hide somewhere quiet. Many dogs suffer badly from fireworks as they might feel paralyzed, frozen, or distressed. The discomfort sometimes increases so much that it makes them fall sick and hyper-alert.

Birds

Fireworks can cause a high degree of stress in birds that they may leave the place where they say. It can be dangerous for their young ones and even disturb their life cycle. The areas with loud noise also affect the growth of birds and stop their reproduction. Ducks grow slowly, while geese stop eating during the day if they hear loud sounds or noises. The noise of fireworks is so loud that it can frighten the birds and cause tachycardia or even death.

Hence we must avoid using wedding sparklers in The UK for ceremonies and celebrations because something that is a few second's charms for humans can be disastrous for animals.

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