Many animals find holidays with loud noises and especially fireworks frightening, and worse. Guardians will often see their pets struggling, either frozen with fear or, in the most dangerous circumstances - bolting, rearing up or charging fences. In situations like these, it's hard to know how to react or what to do. Especially if you're a new pet parent, it may not be something you've even considered in advance of firework season.
We cannot stress enough the importance of making sure your animals have tags that are up to date and secure, microchip information is accurate, and your property is secure as well. Having an airtag accessory on the collar can also be useful if you need to locate your pets via a Find My app. Firework events are one of the top reasons animals go missing.
Planning ahead can help pets cope with the fireworks season. Before the fireworks season starts, provide your animals with a safe haven. This should be a quiet area, so choose one of the quietest rooms in your home - a place where they feel in control. Let them be in that area relaxed and surround by items they associate positively with, like a favorite bed, toys etc.
Using pheromone sprays or diffusers in those areas ahead of time can also have a positive calming effect prior to the days leading up to the loud noises / firework events. Setting up calming music or white noise is also instrumental in creating a calming area for them.
If your animals are very reactive to loud noises, thunderstorms or fireworks using a calming herbal supplement like Herbsmith's Third of July may be very helpful as well.
For your pups, when the fireworks start:
- Walk your dog during daylight hours to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off.
- Move your dog to the safe haven each evening before the fireworks begin. Provide toys and other things that they enjoy in the safe haven.
- Make sure there are things for you to do too, so your dog isn't left alone.
- Close windows and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks. Blackout your dog's crate by covering it with a crate cover or blanket, so they can't see any flashes outside.
- Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don't force them to play.
As the Fourth of July is upon us, here are some additional animal safety tips from the ASPCA Animal Control Poison Center regarding other potential dangers while enjoying get-togethers that every pet guardian should be aware of.
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