Every year while we celebrate America’s birthday, it is often a noisy and stressful holiday time for pets due to loud noises and fireworks. Here are a couple tips to keep your pet safe during a highly anxious time for them that is the fourth of July.
1.Exercise your pet during the day
Make sure to enjoy outside time with your pet during the day. Take them on a nice long hike, play fetch, or go to a nice dog park and let them run. By exercising your pet ahead of expected nightly festivities, one would hope they will be tired by the evening and sleep through any loud fireworks that could cause them anxiety. Here are some exercise ideas!
2. Dress Your Pet for the Fourth of July
While it is nice to dress your pet up in costumes, what we really mean is make sure they are wearing their collar and have up to date ID tags. This is helpful in case your pet gets scared or anxious and accidentally gets loose. Make sure they have a way to be identified if this unfortunate scenario should ever happen. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your registration is linked to you. You can also buy anxiety, snuggly type of clothing for your pet such as Thundershirts. This can help to make your pet feel more secure and safe.
3.Keep them on a leash
Do not allow your pet to go outside unattended over the several days around Independence Day. When you do go outside, it’s best to keep your pup on a leash, even if it’s on your property. By doing this, it helps assure that a pet will not bolt if they hear some loud noises.
We all know there are people who set off fireworks earlier than the actual holiday and do it even during the day…so be prepared to help keep your pet safe and secure. As a side note: animal shelters in the US are often the busiest on July 5th because of frightened pets escaping their yards from the fear of fireworks on the fourth of July.
4. Use calming aids
To help distract your pet from the loud holiday celebrations, be sure to play calming music for your pet. There are plenty of calming music options on YouTube if you search “Calm my Dog” music. If your pet’s fear is severe and they require oral sedatives, be sure to reach out to your vet for any medications a week prior to a holiday to see what they can prescribe based on your pet’s medical history.
5. Give your pet something to do
Offer your pet a long-lasting treat, such as a Kong stuffed with frozen peanut butter. This helps to keep them occupied and to keep their mind off any loud, obnoxious noises.
6. Find a safe location for your pets
If your pet feels safe in a crate, then allow them to retreat to this area. Keeping them contained and in an interior room that is pet friendly will also be a barrier to scary noises to them. Sometimes a bedroom or a bathroom will also suffice. If you are at home, join them so they feel loved and nurtured.
7. Keep pets away from holiday foods – and fireworks!
Grilling out to celebrate the Fourth of July is a great way to celebrate the day but be sure to keep your pets away from the holiday foods you might be preparing to avoid GI upset. In addition to that, be sure to keep pets away from any fireworks you might be preparing to light up the skies with because we do from time to time see cases of firework ingestion. Firework toxicity is concerning as fireworks contain hazardous chemicals such as potassium nitrate, which can cause serious illness in your pet.
We hope these tips help you keep your pets safe this July 4th so that you can enjoy celebrating with friends and family! Contact us if you need medications to keep them calm and safe before the holiday.
