Berlin, November 2025 - When rockets fizz and firecrackers tear up the night on New Year's Eve, pure stress begins for many dogs. A new analysis by the dog community app Dogorama shows: Berlin is the most dangerous place in Germany for dogs on New Year's Eve. In the past four years alone, 493 lost dogs were reported here around the turn of the year - around a quarter of all registered cases.
Hamburg follows at a considerable distance (211 cases), followed by Frankfurt am Main (138), Leipzig (112) and Cologne (110).
The analysis only takes into account cases that are recorded via Dogorama and comparable reporting systems. Unregistered dogs or unreported escapes are not included. The actual number of lost dogs is therefore likely to be significantly higher.
"Our analysis clearly shows that New Year's Eve is dangerous for many dogs. Berlin is a particular hotspot - and what we see is only a fraction of what actually happens. The number of unreported cases is far higher," explains Jan Wittmann, founder and Managing Director of Dogorama.
"In our community, we hear time and time again how much animals suffer from firecrackers. On the days around New Year's Eve, many dogs can hardly leave the house. For many owners, the only option is to run the gauntlet to get the dog out of the house and immediately flee back into the 'safe' apartment. The firecrackers are an enormous stress for animals that are unable to classify the noises and therefore activate the flight reflex in panic. Limiting or more strictly regulating the use of firecrackers would help many dogs enormously," warns Wittmann.
Top 10 most dangerous cities in Germany
This ranking is based on the last four years:
Berlin: 493 registered cases
Hamburg: 211
Frankfurt a.M.: 138
Leipzig: 112
Cologne: 110
Munich: 97
Dortmund: 63
Wiesbaden: 50
Essen: 42
Hanover: 42
Survey clearly shows: majority of dog owners want a ban on firecrackers
A recent Dogorama survey with 1,200 participants shows how strongly dog owners feel about the turn of the year:
91 percent are in favor of a nationwide ban on firecrackers.
63 percent report that their dogs cope badly or not at all with firecrackers.
15 percent plan to leave the city and spend the New Year in the countryside.
eleven percent turn to calming products containing hemp or CBD.
Particularly worrying: seven percent of respondents stated that they give their dogs alcohol, such as eggnog.
From a veterinary point of view, this is highly dangerous and can lead to serious health problems.
Dogs in panic: Owners report fear, apathy and flight from New Year's Eve noise
For many dogs, the state of emergency begins days before the actual New Year. Two of those affected describe why their animals can barely cope with the city - and the dramatic effects of the firecrackers.
"You can just tell how much stress New Year's Eve puts on dogs. Our male dog hides for days beforehand and hardly eats. The figures from Dogorama don't surprise me - the nights are incredibly loud here. We now plan our New Year's Eve entirely with the dog's well-being in mind and try to go away every year so that Gaston can "survive" to some extent."
- Olga Kramer (43), owner of dachshund Gaston (7) from Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
"I can't leave the house at all with my dog Wendy for at least two days before and five days after New Year's Eve. She panics, salivates incessantly, hides in corners and seems completely apathetic. That's why I take her to my parents in the country every year from Christmas to Epiphany. At least it's a bit quieter there - here in the city it would simply be unbearable for her. That would be pure cruelty to animals."
- Dominik Glaser (25), owner of dachshund Wendy from Leipzig-Zentrum
New Year's Eve tips: Reduce stress, minimize dangers
Good preparation is essential - especially if dogs already have a history of noise anxiety.
- Secure twice: attach the lead to both the collar and the harness to prevent it from breaking loose
- Block out stimuli: close windows and doors; lower blinds, use music or TV as a calming background noise
- Create places of retreat: Prepare a sheltered, cozy place
- Use aids: Hearing protection or calming vests - get used to them early on
- Medication: Only after prior consultation with a vet
A variety of training options
Special exercises can help to reduce anxiety and stress in the long term - including
- Counter-conditioning
- Relaxation exercises
- Desensitization
- Behavioral therapy for dogs with a pronounced fear of noises
Additional support for dog owners is offered by dog trainer Martin Rütter in cooperation with Dogorama. In the certified course, participants learn to recognize their dog's individual needs and interpret their behaviour correctly. More information at: