Household pets--namely dogs--tend to absolutely hate fireworks. So what's a pet owner to do on the Fourth of July? The Los Angeles Times offers the following helpful tips:
1.Make sure your pet has current identification. Loud noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks might cause your dog to break out through a screen window, hop a fence or otherwise run away. Make sure your pet is licensed and wearing identification. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your information such as address and phone number are current with the microchip company.
2.Exercise your pet. In the days leading up to the holiday, make sure you give your dogs and cats plenty of exercise, said John Howe, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Exercise really helps reduce anxiety,” Howe said.
3.Create a safe space. Figure out a safe space for your pet where there’s less of a chance of escape. Maybe there’s a room in the house where you can close the curtains or blinds (to avoid seeing the flashes in the sky) and play white noise, soft music or a TV show.
4.Keep your dogs at home. It might be tempting to take your dog to the picnic or fireworks show, but that environment might be more stressful for them. Dogs are also highly sensitive to the concussive force of fireworks, Howe said. “When the fireworks go off in the sky, that dog can feel that pressure change,” he said. Some dogs might break away from their leash, terrified by the lights and smells.