Loud noises and bright flashes from fireworks can be overwhelming and frightening to a pet who doesn’t understand the celebration. That’s why it’s important to keep your pet safe and calm, and for you to be prepared in the event your pet runs away. If your pet suffers from severe anxiety as a result of the holiday, talk to your veterinarian about medications that might help!
Here are five easy tips to keep your pet safe on the Fourth of July:
Stay Inside
Never leave your pet unattended outdoors, especially on the Fourth of July. Your pet may be easily spooked by the loud booms of fireworks and flee as a result. Even if your pet has never displayed any hesitancy toward these sights and sounds, he or she can develop a fear of them with age. Snuggle inside in the safety of your home and always supervise outdoor potty breaks.
Out of Sight,Out of Mind
Create an environment within your home that distracts from the sounds and sights of holiday fireworks. Leave the television or radio on to drown out sounds and close all blinds and curtains to distract from bright, flashing lights. The less your pet can hear and see, the less anxious from the fireworks he or she will likely be!
Identification is Key
Make sure your pet has proper identification! A collar tag with your name and current phone number along with the most current rabies tag and city license are musts. Don’t have tags? Take a permanent marker and write your name and phone number on the fabric of the collar. The more easily your pet can be traced back to you, the better chance he or she will be returned quickly in the event of an escape.
Find a Safe Place
A kennel or dark bedroom with lots of treats, blankets or toys can be a safe place of comfort for your pet. Make it as cozy as possible! Having a safe place can help relieve anxiety, reduce stress and provide a pleasant place for your pet to get through the holiday.
Keep Calm
Never punish your pet for being scared of fireworks and try not to reward anxiety with extra attention. The best thing to do is to remain calm yourself, and eventually he or she will learn to be calm, too. Keep him or her distracted but try to carry on as if it’s any other normal day!
Unleashed Pet Rescue, located in Mission, Kansas, is a licensed nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter founded in 2011 that works to save the lives of homeless pets and strives to improve the image of bully breeds in society. The organization works daily with high-kill shelters throughout the area to pull “unwanted” pets to safety while also working to find homes for pets of all ages, health, temperaments and history. Each adoptable pet is given the opportunity to thrive.