With the 4th of July right around the corner it’s important for us to consider firework safety for pets. We all love a great firework show. But for a lot of us, our beloved pets can become frightened or anxious by the loud, bright display.
Fireworks not only make them anxious or overwhelmed, but can also be quite dangerous as well. Some pets become so frightened by the noises and flashes that, in their high state of stress, they run away from their homes. It’s not uncommon to see shelters packed with lost animals after the 4th of July celebrations. Firework safety for pets is crucial in ensuring our pets stay out of harm during the holiday season.
4 Tips on Firework Safety for Pets
1. Keep your pet away from fireworks
If possible, try to be with your pet if you know they become anxious during loud noises and bright flashing lights. Do NOT bring them to the firework show, but instead, consider staying home. Being home with them can already help ease some of the stress they may experience.
Even though we would love to be with our pets 24/7, we all know that’s not always the case. There are some moments where we may have to leave them home alone. If you’re leaving and you know fireworks might be going off, make sure your pet is secured safely in your home. A carrier or crate is a great solution that provides a quiet, secure and comforting space for them.
Sometimes, it can be helpful to turn on the tv, music or anything else that could provide background noise to soften the sound of fireworks. Close your blinds and draw the curtains to lessen the flashing lights too. You want to minimize the sound and light of the fireworks as much as possible.
2. Ask your veterinarian for help
For some of us, we can do all the recommended steps and our pets still become extremely agitated. It’s not uncommon for pets to need some extra help to ease the stress. Talk to your vet and consider medications or products that could help alleviate their pain and anxiety. Your vet could also provide you with some more helpful information on firework safety for pets.
3. Keep your pet cool
With all the 4th of July festivities we want to remind you to be aware of heat stroke. You may be walking your pet earlier in the day to avoid the noise of the evenings. And while that is a great solution to firework safety for pets, you also want to consider the July heat.
If you are walking your pet early, to avoid the fireworks, try to do it before the middle of the day, when the heat is at its worst. Make sure your pet has an adequate supply of fresh water at all times. And remember that pavement can get hot. If the pavement is too hot for you, it’s too hot for our pets delicate paws.
Learn more about heatstroke and how to prevent it here.
4. Safeguard your pet with a collar/microchip
Your pet should ALWAYS have their collar on. God forbid, anything happens to them, you want people to know who to call. Even if your pet is indoors all the time, anything can happen when they are in a state of fear. You never know what your pet might do to escape the loud noise.
Your pet’s collar should have their name and your number on it. It’s helpful for anyone who finds your pet to know their name and know who to call.
If your pet isn’t already, get them microchipped and keep the information up to date. You can talk to your vet to schedule an appointment. Microchipping is relatively affordable and offers a lot of peace of mind as a pet owner.
Click here to learn more about microchipping and how it keeps you and your pet together
While the 4th of July can be a lot of fun, it can also be very dangerous. With so many pets ending up lost or even killed it is vital that we consider firework safety for pets with the 4th right around the corner. Know your pet and know what you need to do to keep them safe.