We would like to give you guys a HEADS UP PSA!!
The Fourth of July is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous times of the year for pets. While you and your family, friends, and neighbors are celebrating the holiday with fireworks, pets are finding these festive activities anything BUT celebratory.
Many pet parents assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, they will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside, and being left alone inside the house.
If pets are left outside and unattended, the noise and raucous often drives them to run away. In fact, the July 4th holiday is a very busy time for animal shelters across the U.S. They report taking in a higher number dogs that run off during firework festivities. In addition, many police stations log higher volumes of stray dog calls and barking complaints on July 4th compared to any other day of the year.
By planning ahead and taking some common sense precautions, you can help ensure your pet is happy and safe this Fourth of July.
Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
Do not leave your pet alone in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects even death in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. See our previous post: Leaving Pets In Parked Car Can Be A Deadly Mistake. However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet.
Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate trained, then their crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
If your pet seeks comfort in a bath tub, under a bed or other small space...let them. Do not try to lure them out. If the space is safe and it makes them feel more secure, let them be.
Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
Here's to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day!
Many pet parents assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, they will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside, and being left alone inside the house.
If pets are left outside and unattended, the noise and raucous often drives them to run away. In fact, the July 4th holiday is a very busy time for animal shelters across the U.S. They report taking in a higher number dogs that run off during firework festivities. In addition, many police stations log higher volumes of stray dog calls and barking complaints on July 4th compared to any other day of the year.
By planning ahead and taking some common sense precautions, you can help ensure your pet is happy and safe this Fourth of July.
Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
Do not leave your pet alone in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects even death in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. See our previous post: Leaving Pets In Parked Car Can Be A Deadly Mistake. However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet.
Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate trained, then their crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
If your pet seeks comfort in a bath tub, under a bed or other small space...let them. Do not try to lure them out. If the space is safe and it makes them feel more secure, let them be.
Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
Here's to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day!
~courtesy of TripswithPets.com~
12 comments:
thanks for great tips :o) we have this problem ten days later... we hope that all have a good 4th of july without er-visits and scared pups...
Good info. Mom watches us like a hawk
Lily & Edward
Hi Jeanne, What a timely important post-thank you! We are going to be away this 4th and Hunter, Lilly and Copper will be here at our house with a friend who is dog sitting for the evening. Not the best of situations-but at least someone will be with them. I actually had to go talk to my neighbor(in her mid 70's) last night about fireworks because last year her sil lit firecrackers off their back deck and they were aimed at our house. WE only had Lilly and Hunter and both dogs were so scared. Hunter isn't as bothered by thunder, but he was really scared last year. Firstly, the gal said no her sil only lit sparklers; I had to tell her I saw him and that they were illegal fireworks. Not many mind you, but still. She then held up her hand to show me the size of the ones he lit and sure enough they were firecrackers. I told her how dangerous it is with potential for fires as well as dogs getting out(which was my concern). Thankfully they are going to their daughter's home where he can lite them-although they live in the mountains. Great plan, don't you think-such stupidity.
I think I may have offended her, but I don't care-my dogs are more important than being friendly with her. I was an nice as could be. However, I do have other neighbors who will call the police if they hear them.
Hope you guys are doing well and have a quiet 4th.
Hugs to you and the girls.
Hershey is oblivious to fireworks, Graham seems a little bothered. Marsha needs to snuggle under the covers to feel safe. I don’t know if “fortunately” is the right word but we’ve had some idiot setting off fireworks around here for WEEKS, and the dogs have gotten used to it. This year, like all the others since I’ve had dogs, I’m going to get the herd into the bedroom, close the door, snuggle and read, maybe while playing some music to mask the noise. Last year this helped Marsha and Graham a lot!
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Such an informative post on pet safety! In Canada we have fireworks on July 1st, and its always a busy day at the shelters trying to reunite scared pets with their owners.
VERY important post. Bless you!
AMEN to all you say - we are so not looking forward to the noisy part of the 4th:(
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
Very good information. Duke was never the least bit afraid of any loud noises and so far Gibbs doesn't seem to be bothered by them either
Great tips! We are so not looking forward to this holiday :-( Fireworks were such a horrible invention!
Such important information. Neither Ruby nor Pip seemed to notice fireworks. Ruby is afraid of many things, but as long as we are with her, she is fine.
I can't imagine losing a dog on the Fourth of July if they were to run away, but it happens to so many people. Let's hope this year is better and more pups stay safe at home.
We will stay safe inside with Bentley and Pierre. Bentley doesn't like fireworks at all!
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