As the nights draw in, some owners are bracing themselves for the fear their pets will feel as fireworks are set off.

It may seem a little early to be talking about fireworks, but 23% of dog owners say their pets are afraid of them.

PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: “It’s horrible to see your pet in a distressed state and anyone who has had a pet that suffers from fireworks phobia will know how challenging it can be.

“What are just loud bangs to us can be terrifying to pets. They can shake with fear, go to the toilet in the house, destroy furniture, and could injure themselves if they panic or run away.”

Nina advises any owners with firework-phobic pets to take action as early as possible. Here are her top tips:

•Buy a sound therapy CD or stream them online. Gradually introduce your pet to these types of noises by playing them quietly in another room. Reward your pet when they remain calm, but if they become anxious then stop immediately and try again later with a lower volume. When they show no reaction, very gradually increase the volume and duration over a period of several weeks.

•Build a den with blankets and cushions for your pet now so they can get used to it. This should be somewhere they feel safe.

•Pheromone diffusers release scents which are undetectable to humans, but can have a calming, reassuring effect on our pets. They are available for dogs and cats, and should be used for several weeks leading up to fireworks season.

•Bringing rabbits or other small animals indoors is a great idea on fireworks night, but it’s best to bring them in a few days before, so they can get used to their new environment before the noise begins.

•For severe phobias, we recommend speaking to your vet or veterinary nurse, who will be able to discuss various options including referral to an accredited behaviourist.