Fireworks and Pet Safety
July 4th is right around the corner! While many of us will be celebrating with grilled foods, friends and family, our furry family members might not be as excited about it. Fourth of July and New Year’s are when most pets go missing. Fireworks are a major driving factor of pets getting scared and running away.
Thankfully, there are precautions owners can take to ensure their pets have a safe and happy celebration.
Make sure your pet is wearing their collar and tags with the updated information. If you do not also have your pet microchipped, you should definitely look into having that done. Collars can come off and tags can break away, but microchips stay under their skin. This way, if your pet does get out, they will at least have identifying information, and your contact information, on them, so they will be returned quickly.
If you are having guests over, inform them that you do have a pet in the house and that they should be very mindful of latches on doors and gates.
Crate your pet, if they are crate trained and it is their safe place. If they are not crate trained, consider moving them to a bedroom or a bathroom. Create a place for them that is enclosed so they can be safe and away from loud noises. If your pet is not crate trained, now is the perfect time to get started on that process.
Provide ambient noise, like a white noise machine, fan, TV, or music. As the hour approaches for fireworks, providing some background noise to help drown out the sound will help your pet be distracted and not notice the sound as much.
You may consider taking your pet for a drive, if they are comfortable and safe in the car. This is another way to get them out of the situation and away from the noises that are causing stress.
If you are unable to take your pet away from your home, consider hiring a pet sitter or dog walker to do that for you. You may even hire a dog walker on the day of, to help tire your pup out so they will likely be less anxious.
Many pet owners may choose to provide a thunder blanket and aromatherapy. A thunder jacket is a tight fitting jacket that wraps around their torso and chest, and gives a calming and soothing feeling to the pet. Coupling this with aromatherapy and calming smells, is a great non-medicated way to help your dog through the stress of the fireworks.
Medication is also an option. Consult your vet about the appropriate medication for the breed, age, size, and severity of anxiety your pet has. You may also talk to them about using CBD oils and treats.
While July 4th is still a couple weeks away, this is the perfect opportunity to prepare you and your pet for a happy and safe celebration. Whatever path and options you choose, you know your pet better than anyone else. If you need more recommendations, or help implementing any of the things discussed, we are always happy to offer advice and refer to others for additional resources.
