Supporting Your Pets After the Magħtab Explosion: A Behaviour‑Literate Guide for Traumatic Events

This morning’s explosion at the Magħtab fireworks factory shook half the island. Even people kilometres away felt the shockwave — so imagine what it was like for animals who have no context, no warning, and no way to understand what happened.

Thankfully, my clients in the area happened to be away with their pets. Others may not have been so lucky. Sudden, violent events like this can leave animals frightened, disoriented, or at risk of developing longer‑term stress reactions.

Here is a clear, humane, trauma‑informed protocol to help pets recover safely in the hours and days after a frightening incident.

1. Start With the Environment: Remove Added Risk and Secure Escape Routes

After a shockwave or loud blast, the environment may be more dangerous than it looks.

Do a quick but thorough check:

• Doors, gates, and windows may have popped open

• Fences may have shifted or cracked

• Objects may have fallen or become unstable

• Debris may be sharp or hazardous

• Noise from emergency vehicles may still be ongoing

Animals in a heightened state can bolt, hide in unsafe places, or injure themselves. Your first job is to stabilise the space so their nervous system can stabilise too.

Added post publication: If your pet escapes please report this with their relevant information to your nearest police station as well as the animal welfare helpline by call Servizz.gov153 extension 17. If you need to report injured wildlife please call the Nature Trust Malta - Wildlife Rescue Team on 9999 9505.

2. Let Your Pet Tell You How Upset They Are — and Avoid an Emotional Echo Chamber

Not every animal reacts the same way to trauma.

Some shake. Some pace. Some hide. Some cling. Some look “fine” until later.

Your role is to observe without imposing your own emotional state.

• If they come to you, offer calm, steady contact

• If they keep distance, respect it

• Keep your voice low and your movements predictable

• Avoid frantic reassurance — it can amplify fear instead of soothing it

Animals borrow our emotional temperature.If you stay grounded, they can anchor to you.

3. Decide Early Whether Evacuation Is Needed — and Prepare Even If You Don’t Use It

After an explosion, there may be:

• Secondary blasts

• Structural instability

• Smoke or air quality issues

• Emergency services requesting movement

• Traffic or access disruptions

If evacuation is even possible, prepare immediately:

• Leashes, carriers, harnesses

• Water, medication, documents

• A towel or blanket for handling a frightened animal

• A plan for how to move each pet if they freeze or panic

Preparation reduces panic. Panic reduces safety.

4. If Your Pet Is Hiding in a Safe Spot, Let Them Self‑Regulate

Hiding is a healthy coping strategy.

If your pet has chosen a safe, contained place — under a bed, behind a sofa, in a crate, in a bathroom — let them stay there. They are observing, assessing. Watching for signal of risk.

Only intervene if:

• The area is unsafe

• You must evacuate

• They show signs of medical distress

Self‑directed coping builds resilience. Forced contact does not.

5. Seek Immediate Veterinary Input if Your Pet Shows Significant Dysfunction

Some animals experience acute stress reactions that need urgent support:

• Continuous trembling

• Inability to settle

• Disorientation

• Unresponsiveness

• Panic that doesn’t decrease

• Fear‑based aggression

• Collapse

• Vomiting or diarrhoea from shock

• Complete refusal to sleep

Sleep is when traumatic memories consolidate. With veterinary guidance, preventing sleep and using the right medication can reduce the risk of long‑term PTSD‑like symptoms.

This is not something to handle alone. This is a veterinary emergency.

6. Prevention Helps — But It Doesn’t Make Animals Immune to Catastrophic Events

Early socialisation, confidence‑building, and gentle exposure to novelty all help animals cope with stress.

But let’s be honest:

No amount of puppy class prepares an animal for a fireworks factory explosion.

What does help is:

• A secure attachment to their humans

• Predictable routines

• A history of gentle handling

• A home environment that feels safe

• Humans who regulate themselves so the animal can co‑regulate

Prevention builds flexibility — not invincibility.

If You Need Help Today

I will be available by phone all day for anyone needing emergency behavioural advice related to the Magħtab explosion — especially if your pet is showing signs of acute stress, panic, or disorientation.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is normal or concerning, reach out. It’s better to ask early than to wait and hope it passes.

This doesn't have to become separation anxiety or toileting issues or generalised anxiety if its handled right.

The number is 77308866.