We are just around the corner from the 4 th of July! While this can be a fun time of celebration for people, it can be a time of stress and fear for our pets.
Many dogs and even some cats suffer from noise phobias, and the 4th of July can be one of the most stressful days of the year for them. It is important to keep pets safe during the festivities. Make sure your pets are safely confined indoors, as panicked dogs and cats can run far from home when frightened. If you plan on attending a fireworks display in person, it is definitely best to leave your dog at home, especially if you are unsure how they will react.
Keeping some familiar sounds on in the home, such as music or TV, can help drown out some of the noise outside, as well. Distractions, such as a favorite treat, some training or games can also be a way to distract your pet from the fireworks sounds.
Some dogs and cats with known noise phobias may also have medications to help relieve anxiety. Make sure you give these well in advance of when you anticipate the fireworks noise starting. Most of these medications work more effectively if they are “on board” before any stressful stimuli starts. Once the stress level is high, it is more difficult for these medications to have their desired effect.
Also, if your pet is on a prescription anti-anxiety medication, make sure you contact your vet office or pharmacy a couple of days in advance for any refills!
