Pets & Fireworks: 11 Best Ways To Care For Your Pet During Fireworks
Pets & Fireworks: 11 Best Ways To Care For Your Pet During Fireworks
Megan Fitzpatrick 8/21/24
Did you know that up to 50% of dogs are afraid of fireworks? Since a pet's hearing is more sensitive than ours, the loud noises are extra upsetting and overwhelming for them. There are a number of strategies to minimize discomfort for your furry friend during fireworks. Here are the top ways to keep your pet as cozy as possible during the noisy fireworks. Ideally a combination of these strategies will ensure the best results.
Create A Safe Haven
Having a safe and cozy place for your pet to retreat to will help comfort them when they’re experiencing the anxiety from the loud noise of fireworks. Having a comfortable place they can hide will help minimize the stress that they’re feeling. Ideally somewhere in the middle of the home without any windows is best. Otherwise closing windows and pulling the blinds will help. Have their cozy bed and some toys in this safe space for them so they can feel comforted. If you can stay with them, your presence will be extra comforting for them.
Use White Noise Machine And Classical Music
To best muffle the loud noise of fireworks, use a white noise machine combined with classical music so that your pet can focus on the relaxing music to combat the fear they feel. Music is healing for people and pets alike. Having relaxed classical music in their safe haven will be beneficial in helping them feel secure and more relaxed.
Stay With Your Pet
If you can stay with your pet while fireworks are happening this will help out your furry companion. They love you most so having the person or people they love most will help soothe them and lessen their anxieties. If you can show that you are relaxed and unafraid this will signal to them that there’s no need to worry. Ideally having a distraction and playing with them if possible and utilizing the white noise and classical music combined with being in your presence will provide much needed relief. Hiring an in-home pet sitter while traveling can also help if storms roll in while you're away. Being in a familiar environment is more comfortable for your pup than a new pet boarding facility.
Distract Them With Toys & Play
Playtime is the best time. A great way to keep your dog or cat occupied during fireworks time is to keep them happily distracted with toys and playtime. Engage in playing with them with a ball or their favorite toys to have their focus occupied until the noise passes.
Positive Association Rewards
Create a positive association with fireworks time by rewarding them with their favorite special treat like a frozen peanut butter kong, or other longer lasting bone so they can associate this time with tasty rewards.
6. Consider Medication
If you try all of the strategies listed here and still your pet is struggling during fireworks time, consider anxiety medication to be administered for this specific time. Talk to your vet to discuss if this is a good option for you. They will prescribe what’s best for your dog or cat. There are also natural supplements available to try.
7. Desensitization Training
For those who live nearby frequent fireworks displays this can be a good option to try. You can talk to your veterinary professional for advice on going through desensitization training to gradually expose your dog to loud noise and help them to be acclimated to it.
8. Try A Thundershirt
There are thundershirts available to purchase for dogs with anxiety. It hugs your dog with a gentle constant pressure that gives relief in some dogs.
9. Walk Your Dogs Before Nighttime
Walk your dog before the nighttime fireworks display time. This way they'll be safe indoors when the fireworks are going off. If you can give them even more exercise than usual during these days they’ll have less pent up energy to spend on feeling anxious during fireworks displays. Hiring a trusted dog-walker can be a great solution for those with busy schedules.
10. Microchip Your Pet
Microchip your pet so that in the case that they accidentally got outside and ran because of their heightened fear during this time, you can easily and quickly recover them if they were to get lost. More pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other holiday, so having the extra assurance of your pet being microchipped is a good idea.
11. Use Pheromones
Using pheromone imitating products work by imitating the positive natural pheromones produced by cats and dogs. Pheromones are odorless and are naturally released by each species as another way to communicate. They’re different for each species. For dogs the product mimics dog appeasing pheromones (DAP). These are produced by lactating dogs after their puppies are born and before they are weaned. These positive chemicals work by reducing stress and anxiety reassuring the dogs that they’re safe. These products are natural and aren’t a drug so don’t enter your pet’s bloodstream so they are safe and very low risk. They are available in sprays, collars, diffusers, and other products to help create a soothing environment for your pet.
Conclusion
Fireworks time can be a tough time for pets, but by utilizing a combination of the strategies provided in this article you can provide the best care to your furry companion to make fireworks time a protected and extra pampered and cozy time for them. Try out these top techniques to give your pet top notch care to help them feel their best.
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