Pets and Fireworks Don’t Mix

Summer celebrations are soon starting and with that comes the fourth of July and fireworks. While most people enjoy the firework displays and excitement, pets do not always like all the noise and flashing colors that go with fireworks. Fireworks sound louder to your pet because of their acute hearing. It can be terrifying and overwhelming. All too often pets are so frightened they even run from familiar environments and people, and become lost.

There are some simple things people can do to keep pets safe during this time of celebration:

• Keep pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to help soften the outside noises.
• Keep pets inside, out of the heat of summer to prevent heatstroke.
• Safeguard the pet with a collar, ID tag and microchipping.
• Create a safe space for the pet, perhaps a small room in the house, with windows locked, block out light from the fireworks outside. If a dog is crate trained, that may be the safe place.
• If necessary, talk with a local veterinarian to see if medication needs to be considered.

Always remember safety first so everyone and their pets have a fun summer celebration!! 

Learn more:

Fireworks: An explosion of fear for animals. [Internet] Available from: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/fireworks-explosion-fear-animals#:~:text=Keep%20your%20pet%20safely%20away,on%20to%20soften%20jarring%20noises.

Pets and Fireworks Safety. [Internet] Available from: https://www.animalleague.org/blog/tips/pet-firework-safety/