Over the summer season, you can typically hear the distant rattle of fireworks in the sky from people gathering to celebrate various holidays or events. Whether it’s a baseball game, graduation party, wedding, or 4th of July celebration, fireworks are a favorite way to end a celebration for many. Fireworks are beautiful to look at and fun to watch for people of all ages, but sometimes our furry friends don’t feel the same way about them as we do. Dogs, and sometimes cats, have been known to have anxiety or fear surrounding loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms. According to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), over 60% of dogs show signs of being in distress because of hearing a firework display in the distance. To keep your animals protected this summer, here are some fireworks safety tips for pets.
- Keep all pets indoors during a fireworks display.
- Provide them with a safe space that is quiet, comfortable, has a few places to hide, and is full of their favorite things.
- Turn on the tv, radio, or white noise to soften the boom from the fireworks.
- Shut all the windows and doors in your home to help muffle the loud noises.
- If your pet likes to be crated and they look at it as their safe space, put them in their crate. You can try covering the crate with a light sheet or blanket to help block out lights and noise.
- Keep your animals distracted from the noise with their favorite toys, blankets, treats, etc.
- Walk your dog during daylight hours before the fireworks display starts.
- Make sure someone is at home with them, so they don’t feel alone or scared.
- Try tiring them out with a walk or game of fetch earlier in the day before the fireworks start.
- Applying light pressure can sometimes help with anxiety. You can do this by putting on a snug shirt, anxiety jacket, or even just providing them with some extra love and cuddles.
- Make sure your pet has a collar and ID on them that is updated. You can also look into getting them microchipped. This way if they run away or become lost due to the fireworks display, you will have a better chance of finding them.
- Ask your veterinarian about possible solutions to help with their anxiety. This could be natural methods like pheromone sprays, diffusers, edible chews, calming wraps, or calming jackets. Or they could suggest medications to help with anxiety. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before making any medical decisions.