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As the weather gets colder, many homes on our wet and windy island rely on their fireplaces to keep them warm and toasty.
People very rarely regret getting a fireplace installed in their home, and there’s nothing quite like getting cosy next to the fire. We can picture it now: slippers on, cuppa at the ready, and your dog or cat sleeping by the fireplace.
But while we find a fireplace relaxing, it can sometimes make our pets act bizarrely. At other times, your cat or dog may love it a bit too much. Plus, sorry to burst your cosy bubble, there are certain safety measures we need to keep in mind too.
As pet parents, we want our home to be a safe, comfortable place for our pets. So we’re here to share some fireplace safety tips, chat through some fireplace training advice, and answer why pets can have strange reactions to your homely hearth.
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Pet fireplace safety: key things to remember
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Always use a screen
Use a fireplace screen. They prevent pets from getting too close and reduce injury risk from flames and hot surfaces.
Consider having the fireplace on a raised position
If possible, having your fireplace installed on a raised platform can keep your heat-loving pet away from them.
Keep flammable objects well away
Toys, blankets, and beds are all flammable objects, so keep them well away from the fire, especially if it’s a wood-burning one.
Observe your pet near the fireplace
We recommend always keeping an eye on your pet when they’re near a fireplace that’s on or one you've recently turned off.
Organise electric cords
Electric fires are very common, so make sure you tidy up any cords near the fireplace (and around your house generally) and keep them out of your pet’s reach.
Regularly check your fire alarm
We’re sure you already do this, but checking in on your fire alarm is the first step of fire safety, especially if you have a fireplace.
Try to have pet-free zone near the fireplace
For total safety, make the spot near the fireplace a pet-free zone. We know it’s hard because it’s likely your pet will love the warmth and comfort the spot offers. But it is possible, and we’ve covered how to do this below under “How to keep your pet away from the fireplace”.
Carbon monoxide and your pets
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We don’t want to scare you too much and make fireplaces sound like total hazards. But you should be aware that pets are much more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than us.
Carbon monoxide leaks happen when fuels, like wood or natural gas, burn incompletely due to a lack of present oxygen. Usually, burning wood produces carbon dioxide, but without the required oxygen, fires can produce carbon monoxide. It’s a toxic, potentially fatal substance.
Please install a carbon monoxide alarm. These are essential to keep you and your pet safe, and watch out for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets, which include:
This is potentially fatal for humans, too, so please take it seriously. Always get a fireplace professionally installed and get safety advice from the installation company on how to reduce carbon monoxide risk.
Burning damp wood, a blocked chimney, or a poorly maintained stove can all increase your risk of problems.
If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, you must:
Stop using and turn off all appliances
Ventilate the property by opening doors and windows
Evacuate immediately
Call the Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999 to report the incident, or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363
Get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine and get your pet checked by a vet, too
Emergency fire response
It’s very important to have a fire safety plan in your home.
We recommend never leaving your cat or dog alone in the room where the fireplace is when you’re out of the house. Always seal it off, ideally with a robust fire door, and let them use the rest of the house or somewhere else.
Secondly, you must have a fire escape plan, and it should include your pet. Keep leashes and carriers ready near a fire exit.
Lastly, keep "Pet Alert" window stickers for first responders around the house. Trust them to retrieve your pet if an emergency strikes - they’re the experts.
Always speak to an expert and those installing the fireplace for general and pet fire safety advice.
Safety by fireplace type: bioethanol, electric, gas and wood-burning
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So, what are the safety pros and cons of each popular fireplace type? You should still follow our general advice above. But certain fireplaces will have specific safety pros and cons.
Bioethanol
Pros: Often has modern safety additions like glass barriers to keep pets well away from open flames.
Cons: Despite being less warm than other options, they’re still very hot to touch, so be careful about your pet leaning near it, especially if you’ve switched it off recently.
Electric
Pros: No real flames, and they often have automatic shut-off procedures for problems like overheating.
Cons: They can still get very hot, so pets can hurt themselves if they lean too near them.
Gas
Pros: No sparks or embers with reduced burn risk due to panels.
Cons: They still carry risks like carbon monoxide leaks, gas leaks, burns from hot glass, and general fire risks.
Wood-burning with doors
Pros: Closed doors greatly reduce the risk of fire and prevent sparks and logs from falling out.
Cons: Still requires careful supervision, and external surfaces near it get very hot.
Wood-burning without doors
Pros: Many people enjoy the way an open fire looks
Cons: Less energy efficient and much greater risks like falling logs and sparks.
So, what type of fireplace is best then?
It depends on your home and what the fireplace installation expert thinks. But as a general rule, open wood-burning fires pose more risks. Logs can roll out of the fireplace, sparks can fly out and pets can have less protection against them.
There’s evidence to show that wood-burning fires produce more fine particulates and carbon monoxide, too. These can hurt our pets’ lungs, especially if they’re a brachycephalic breed or have pre-existing breathing issues.
You can use a closed wood-burning stove, which is safer for pets. But the safest fireplaces for pets are electric or bioethanol fireplaces with safety barriers and automatic shut-off systems.
Do dogs and cats like fireplaces, or do they stress them out?
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Why do some dogs like fireplaces, but others treat it like an unwanted intruder? Well, it depends on your pet. Most pets will find the warmth and comfort appealing, but some can get stressed out, particularly if they feel in danger.
We’re here to answer why your cat or dog may be acting strange (or unusually happy) around the fire.
Why pets may like fireplaces
A cat or dog may love your hearth for numerous reasons, like:
Calming: Some pets love the sights and sounds of a fire, with the rhythmic crackling and shapes it makes. If you’re asking “why does my dog stare into the fireplace”, it may be your pet's attraction to the heat and finding it relaxing.
Comfort: Pets find warmth naturally comforting, and they’ll become attracted to things that make them feel good.
Conservation: Particularly for cats, they’ll regularly like being near a heat source due to instinct.
Curiosity: Fire and warmth can be interesting for pets, which attracts pets to it. It’s why it’s essential to observe your pet near a fire, as their curiosity can get them in trouble.
Instinct: Pets are naturally attracted to fire, and they have an instinctive draw to heat when it’s in safe, moderate amounts.
Mirroring: When pets see us relaxed by the fireplace, they may naturally mirror our energy.
Soothing pain: Some pets with arthritis or older pets seek out warmth to relieve their stiff joints and muscles.
Security: In the wild, somewhere secure is often somewhere that’s warm, so pets will be naturally drawn to a fireplace.
Territory: Once a dog, for example, finds their spot near the fire, they may consider it as part of their territory and return to it.
Why it may stress them out
If your cat or dog is afraid of the fireplace, it may be due to one of these reasons:
Curiosity leading to fear: Younger cats and dogs may not understand the dangers with fire, and can get too close. It’s why supervision is essential. For example, should a younger pet get scared by a sudden burst of heat or pain, then they’ll build negative connotations with the fireplace.
Noise: Fire can make loud, crackling noises sometimes. Items around the fire, like pokers, can fall over and make a sudden sound, too.
Overheating: Pets can get too comfortable and relaxed near a fire that it leads to overheating and burns. This then leads to negative connotations.
Unpredictability: Anxious pets may dislike the unpredictability of flames.
Why is my dog or cat licking the fireplace?
Fireplaces carry things like ash, which can be toxic for your pet and lead to problems if eaten.
This is very likely to be pica, where a pet craves non-food items due to issues such as boredom, nutritional deficiencies or stress. You should see a vet about this, particularly if you notice other symptoms like lethargy or vomiting.
How to keep your pet away from the fireplace
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In rare cases, your pet may become a little too obsessed with the cradling warmth of the fire. This can put them in danger of overheating.
In these cases, it can get difficult to keep them away from the fire as they see it as “their territory”, but there are practical steps you can take.
Barriers
Sometimes, the good old-fashioned barrier works wonders. We’d always recommend installing a screen or glass door near the fireplace to prevent your pet from getting too close. But to ward off the area generally, you can try to use pet gates to prevent access to it.
Creating and being strict about your pet-free zone near the fireplace is essential if your pet is putting themselves in danger.
Creating alternatives
Try to create an alternative, warm space for your pet to rest. For example, move their bed or crate nearer a radiator and fill it with their favourite things. This can entice your pet away from the fireplace.
Deterrents
Sometimes, deterrent sprays can help stop your pet getting too close. These are more effective with cats, but you can try using pet-safe deterrent sprays like citrus or vinegar. Spraying them on your hearth to discourage them from resting there.
Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training is very effective if we want to change the behaviour of our pets, and you can use it to keep them away from the fireplace.
For example, you can reward your pet every time they follow a “place” command that’s away from the fireplace. Over time, you can reward your pet every time they rest away from the fireplace or in a designated, alternate spot. That way, they’ll build up a positive association with places away from the hearth.
By contrast, make sure you don’t accidentally positively reinforce the area near your fireplace. For example, if you play with your pet near it, they’ll associate that place with play, meaning they’re less likely to move away from it.
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