With the Fourth of July right around the corner, you may be worrying about your four-legged friends.
While the holiday is typically filled with seaside fun, family get-togethers, and barbecues, pets are often terrified of one main component: festive firework displays.
Fireworks can cause dogs and other pets to experience extreme anxiety. Sometimes they freeze up with fear, other times, they bark or dangerously act out by bolting or charging.
And when these situations arise, it can be stressful for owners, too, who are not sure what to do.
But there is still time to prepare both yourself and your pet for the holiday. Here are some helpful tips and tricks on how to calm dogs, cats, horses, and other small animals amidst fireworks.
Helping Doggos Deal With Fireworks
Leading up to summer– the firework season– dog owners can plan ahead to help get their pups acclimated to a safe space.
First, designate an area that can be your dog’s safe spot. This area should be one of the quietest regions of your home where your dog can feel safe and in control. For this reason, it’s also important that you don’t interfere with your pup when they’re relaxing in that area– whether that be your home office or basement.
Next, start to train your dog to associate the space with calm, positive experiences. Leave their favorite toys in the area or set them up with a good bone. Just be sure not to impose on them while they’re soaking up the space.
Over time, continue swapping out any toys or bones with new ones to ensure your dog does not get bored. And eventually, they will learn that this area of their home is safe, relaxing, and enjoyable.
Then, by the time the Fourth of July comes around and the fireworks start, your pup may choose to retreat to this area since they know it is safe. So, make sure they can easily access their safe spot at all times, whether you are at home or not.
Aside from creating a secure spot for your dog, you can also walk your dog during the daylight hours to help them expel energy and avoid any in-person fireworks happenings.
Plus, making sure your dog is occupied, closing the windows and curtains to block out the loud sounds, and turning on relaxing music can all be helpful.
It is also beneficial if you personally ignore the fireworks noises and go about your evening as usual. Your dog will sense your calmness, which can help soothe their anxiety.
How To Keep Cats Calm
Similar to dogs, it can be helpful to give your cat some safe and comfortable hiding places in your home– for instance, under your furniture or in a quiet corner.
Also, keep your cats inside to avoid any distress during the fireworks displays but refrain from trying to tempt them out of hiding. If they want to hide, just leave them alone until they are ready to come out.
And for safety, it is helpful to ensure your cat is microchipped in the event they become startled and escape from your home.
Curbing Small Animals’ Fireworks Jitters
Most small animals– such as hamsters, guinea pigs, and chinchillas– are housed in cages. To soundproof these living quarters, you can partially cover cages and pens with a blanket. This will ensure it is soundproofed while still providing a window for your pet to peek out of.
Providing enough of an appropriate bedding type is also crucial since many small animals like to burrow to be secure.
And if any of your small animals are typically housed outside, you might want to bring them indoors for added sound reduction.
Helping Horses Stay Safe During Displays
Horses, too, can become startled by the loud noises that come with fireworks displays.
So, if you own horses, be sure to stay up-to-date with events in your community and be cognizant of when you can expect to hear fireworks.
You can also speak with event organizers if you are housed near a fireworks event and ask that the organizers set off the fireworks in the opposite direction.
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By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
