Is Your Pet Afraid of Fireworks? Tips to Keep Them Safe and Calm

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Many summer celebrations include the artificial thunder and lightning of fireworks. Even the most placid of pets can panic from these pyrotechnic rumbles and flashes. Here are some tips to help keep your dog calm and keep them safe during booming fireworks:

• To protect your dog’s security and peace of mind, leave him at home during fireworks displays. Close all of the windows, blinds, and curtains. Leave the fan running at normal level to provide a little white noise.
• If you must leave your pet outside, provide shelter for them in a garage or basement with a comfortable blanket and a supply of fresh water. Any pet who is frightened by normal thunderstorms should not be left alone during fireworks displays. Consider hiring a petsitter or asking a family friend to stay with them.
• If you plan to set off firecrackers at home, give your dog a break and leave him in the house and away from the scary noises. Pets that panic will often crash through a window, chew through a leash or climb a fence to try to "escape" from the fireworks monsters and become disoriented. He might run right around to the front door to wait for you, but he's more likely to keep running. If this happens to your pet, contact your local animal shelters and veterinary clinics to let them know your dog is missing. Be sure that your dog always wears a securely buckled collar and tag and consider having him microchipped for extra safety. Shelters and veterinary clinics are extra busy on the days following fireworks, dealing with frightened and injured runaways and fielding calls from frantic pet parents.

Comments

18 Sep 2010 4:24 pm

carolbob97 said:

Our English Setter is terrified of storms..she gets a pill to calm her but she still shakes and pants and salivates. Is there simething else we ccan do??

23 Jul 2010 1:22 pm

torttamer said:

I have a female shu tsu named Wendy who is terrified by thunder and fireworks. She tells me before the storm starts and may leave my lap before the rain stops but no thunder ever happens after she jumps down.