With the 4th of July just around the corner, many of us are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day with cookouts, family gatherings and watching public fireworks displays. While we humans are having a grand old time, we must remember our furry pals who don’t always share our zeal for loud explosions and brilliant visual displays.
In this article we hope to provide you with some easy to implement tips on how to keep your pet safe and as comfortable as possible around fireworks and identify potential hazards to watch out for at the celebrations too.
SAFETY:
Statistics show that more pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year! Never leave your pets unattended or tied up in an area where they could potentially harm themselves. Fear from fireworks could cause pets to panic and run out of the house or yard. Dogs who are tethered or tied up my attempt to jump a fence and could easily strangle themselves. It is also a good idea to make sure that your pets have ID tags or are microchipped and any registrations are up to date and paid for.
Keep pets away from Citronella based candles and oils, inhalation can cause respiratory illness, and ingestion can damage your pet’s nervous system.
Keep matches and lighter fluid away from pets or secured where they are not able to access. Topical contact, ingestion or inhalation of vapors are all very dangerous to your pet’s health.
FOODS:
With all the festivities, there is always a buffet’s worth of food. Know which food’s are potentially toxic to your dog or cat and which are safe. Table scraps, chocolate, avocados, garlic, onions, bones, and raw meats can all cause stomach issues or be toxic to dogs. Pay attention to any alcohol spills and keep your pets away. Under no circumstance should you give your pet alcohol to ingest!
POOLS:
If you are attending an Independence day celebration at a location with a pool, be sure that your dog is not left unattended near the pools edges. Do not assume that your dog can swim well, especially in deeper water. It your pet is allowed to swim, make sure they’re a comfortable swimmer and show them the steps to climb out of the pool.
FIREWORKS:
It’s no secret that loud fireworks can spook even the most hearty of souls. See below for a detailed look at how you can ease your pets 4th of July experience.
Easy tips to help your pets at home
Know when specific fireworks displays will be happening in your area so you can prepare for them ahead of time. In some areas, local private fireworks, noise makers etc. start occurring days, sometimes even weeks before and after the 4th which is more difficult to prepare for.- While the fireworks are going off and even before, try to act calm and natural around your pet. They may pick up on your body language and react to any nervous behavior you exhibit, giving them a reason to feel that there is something to be afraid of.
- Try to reduce or drown out the sound of the fireworks. Close your windows and fill the room with familiar sounds that your pet isn’t afraid of like the television, or music on in the background. Fans or air conditioner noise can often help mute the external sounds as well.
- Be sure to provide access to a comfortable place for your dog or cat to hide if they want to. This could be under a table, in a closet etc. It is ok to comfort them if they retreat to their “safe place” but do not try coax them out if they don’t want to leave.
- Understand your pet’s comfort zone. If they feel more comfortable in their crate or under a bed, resist the urge to pull them out or try to force them to “get used to” the fireworks. Doing this will more than likely increase the levels of fear and anxiety and is counterproductive.
- If your dog or cat gets surprised and scared by a sudden loud noise, they will often bolt for safety. It is a good idea to remove or secure valuables and breakables ahead of time. Also, make sure your rooms are free of any dangerous items or sharp objects that your pet may run into if they are panicking and running fast.
- Never punish or yell at your pets because they are frightened. This negative reinforcement is unproductive and may make the situation worse.
- Make sure your doors are closed and your pets cannot run out. Often if a pet is extremely frightened they may try to run out of the house. In the event that they panic and escape, you will want to be able to locate them if they are found or picked up.
- Do not leave your pet outside if possible. The noise is much louder and the vibrations are much more acute. If you absolutely must leave your pet outside, make sure they are not tethered or confined. The combination of being restrained and having no where to go will compound the effects of the loud noises, lights and smells and make the experience even more traumatic!
Treatments and Therapies
- If your pet suffers from severe anxiety, pharmaceuticals may be needed to help manage their symptoms. There are also natural/homeopathic remedies that do help with noise phobias like Thunderstorm Anxiety in dogs. Any medication should only be administered after talking to your veterinarian.
- “Anxiety vests” like the Thundershirt can sometimes be an effective tool in helping calm dogs who have above average anxiety levels. They can provide a “swaddling” effect that has been proven to provide relief for some dogs that respond positively to them.
- Desensitization techniques can sometimes help pets overcome a phobia to loud noises. There are dedicated programs developed like Sound Therapy For Petsthat provide a guide and some free downloadable sound files. As always, it is best to consult with your vet before you try to administer these types of therapies at home.
- In some cases your pet may be so traumatized by the frightening sounds that they continue to be affected even after the event/period of noise is over. If their fear persists and are acting abnormally, seek the advice of your veterinarian.