The 4th of July is right around the corner and while we humans are celebrating with backyard BBQs, friends, and fireworks, our furry companions are likely not having such a good time. According to the Seattle Times, animal shelters report that their busiest day for taking in runaway dogs is July 5th.
Here are some simple tips to help relieve your pet’s stressful state:
- Keep them inside. Loud noises can really startle your dog or cat so make sure they are kept in a safe and secure location in your home.
- Drown out the sound of the fireworks. Turning on the radio or television can distract your pet from outside noise.
- Make sure their tags are up-to-date. Sometimes we change our phone number or move to another location and often forget to update our pets’ ID tags. Now is a good time to get this done. In case your pet does runaway, you can easily be contacted.
- Take recent photo. Make sure you have a current photo of all your pets in the event they do leave the home.
- Stay with your pet. If your furry bestie is known to have severe anxiety during fireworks, staying with them can provide comfort and support.
Does your pet get anxiety during this time of year? Do you have any pet safety tips to share? Post in the comments below.
Paula West
I have Thunder Shirt (knock-offs) for two of my babies who are bothered by fireworks. That helps tremendously!
Rheeta
Item #1 and item #3 are important
Amy
It mightn’t be a bad idea to generalize “quiet” fireworks, in any case, in the way of a humane gesture. Those responsible for such abominable loud noises ought to have had their heads examined a long time ago! – Children too are terrified during “displays”. – Pets hearing everything 20 x louder, no wonder they panic. Even fishes swim for cover!
Keep the luscious colours and get rid of all that noise PLEASE!
Beverly
Apparently, a thunder shirt, that wraps gently but firmly around the abdomen, gives a feeling of comfort.
Paula Powers
I use a thundershirt and valerian drops to help calm my nervous dog-it helps
Vicki Coffey
I just wish they would outlaw any and all fireworks/firecrackers EXCEPT those put on by a municipality or other controlled arena. I hate what it does to our Vets w/PTSD, house pets, and the poor livestock that are stuck in the fields with no where to go but through barbed wire fencing, ripping through their flesh!
Dianne
A thundershirt and calming chews helps. I also keep her close to me and just ride it out. I hate them too
Johniene
I also use a thunder shirt on my fur baby which helps a little but doesn’t calm her down much when its fireworks that are stressing her out. This year I’m also going to use hemp tablets/wafers for dogs with anxiety problems. I LOVE the idea of silent fireworks with the colors minus the “bang.” Must be a horrible time for veterans with PTSD, persons with noise sensitivities/anxieties and livestock, which I hadn’t even considered.
Linda
I bought the thunder shirt and it did NOT work on my dog. I just make sure all of my windows are closed, have the TV on, turn on her fan and run the air conditioner. Unfortunately I work night work so I can’t be with her for every thunderstorm or all the fireworks. I also leave my bathroom door open because she likes to “hide” in the walk in shower until the noise stops.
Kathy
This topic of fireworks has been a major source of discussion on our “Nextdoor” neighborhood board. It seems so many pet owners and vets have concerns but no amount of fines or disciplinary actions seem to deter people from use of the illegal fireworks in our city. This goes back to people’s desire to do as they wish without thought of consequences it has on others. We need to be direct with those are bent on their “entertainment” that has negative impact on the rest of the neighbors by our reporting of the instances and trying to be diplomatic in diffusing the start of their “fun.”
Sally
Thunder shirts don’t work for my labs. We just spend the entire event with our arms around them.
Our windows are closed to help with sound. The worst part is stupid people set them off long before and after the actual 4th independence holiday.
Pati
CBD Oil seems to help rather than something from the vet.
MareB
Place 3 drops of Lavender oil & 2 drops of Roman Chamomile Oil in a diffuser. Place diffuser in a room which is familiar to your pet. Do not put diffuser too close to pet. Use only 100% pure essential oils that avoid dilutants and fillers.
lynn carroll
I really agree that fireworks should be made to be “noiseless”. The other day, July 1st, Canada day, people were setting off their fireworks, I had my Joey inside, I closed the windows, had music playing but he still was very stressed out! He was shaking, panting and drooling all over the place. I tried to start a petition to either ban fireworks or change them. I got some signatures but I doubt anything will change……I wish more people thought like us. When animals/ pets run away, there IS a problem……
MB Summers
Yes, the people who do those “bombs” days before and continue for a week after are the worst because we can’t even be prepared or know what to expect!
Laura
So far I only see comments from females. Come on guys…
Marie Engel
I completely agree with the comments I’ve read here. I HATE fireworks. I feel so helpless for the feral cats I feed, and the other animals. I think people that like & use them are uncaring & nuts! I wish they could be outlawed!
Sincerely, Marie Engel, Bristol PA.
Michelle
Try Lavender essential oil. it really works. I have a St. Bernard who is afraid of very loud noises (fireworks, thunder, etc.) and the Lavender essential oil really works for him.
Lilian Caughlin
All privately sold and own fireworks should be outlawed and forbidden to be sold in the first place. Something that should apply to Indian Reservations also. Fireworks kill and severely injures people as well as start fires. The time of do as you please is past as too many are affected by the consequences.
Trish W
Our poor cats live under the bed this time of year.
They’re very safe inside, but still dislike loud noises.
So we make sure the closets and beds are available for them to get away from it all.
They’re hiding as I write 🙁
JLee
My sister, a veterinarian and a veteran, devised a crazy thing years ago which I have been using to varying degrees of success. Like the Thundershirt, it works for some, but it goes to a different theory on soothing a dog during storms or fireworks without drugs. At the time my sister found an old pair of pants (not Slim Leg- unless you have a smaller dog), cut the legs off to make shorts for gardening, etc. and kept the bottom portion of the legs. We use that portion to use as a sort of balaclava on dogs. When fabric is taut but not too tight and their face, muzzle is fully out of the other end of the leg- important-, so ears are somewhat muffled. Some dogs find it comforting, like hiding. But much love and attention and being with them, holding them if that is what they like, general comforting works wonders.
Marilyn
Wiping pets down with dryer sheets helps. Just pick the scent carefully. Most of them are awful!
Steve Morgan
We have a dog in our family who is frightened of fireworks. My daughter is taking him Pogo into the mountains away from civilization for a couple of days.