Fireworks & Pets: Helping Your Pet Stay Calm This Summer
With the ability to hear sounds up to four times further away than humans, canine ears are pretty incredible. This can be really helpful in the wild, but can also make it downright scary to be near loud noises they don’t understand. Fireworks are often a staple of the summer, but they can lead to severe anxiety for your pets. Luckily, your friends at Pet Dominion have some tips to help your pet stay calm this summer.
Problems for Dogs and Cats
When there are loud, sustained noises, like thunder, fireworks, or even traffic or construction sounds, dogs and cats can become stressed or anxious in no time. Owners might see their pets trying to hide or even escape their homes in response to noise anxiety, increasing requirements for their safety and security. If left alone, or without immediate support, pets may take a long time to recover after a stressful event, and may even show permanent changes in behavior.
It is also worth mentioning that pets with chronic or serious medical conditions, or older animals, may have heightened sensitivity to noise anxiety and may even develop a phobia.
July 4th Pet Safety
The good news is that stress and anxiety can be treated with medication as well as supported with environmental changes. We can help pet owners address their pet’s symptoms as a way to keep them calm and safe in the days around major holidays like Independence Day.
Be sure that your pet is wearing clear, legible ID tags and their microchip is up to date. Check your home’s windows, doors, fencing and gates so they are less likely to respond to a fight-or-flight instinct. If you know they react intensely to loud noises, keep them comfortable in a quiet room full of their favorite things until the storm, parade, or fireworks display concludes.
Calming Pets
Keep an eye on your pet’s body language and behavior. Any of these signs should indicate that a break from the goings-on is necessary:
- Lip licking
- Pacing
- Whining
- Withdrawing
- Aggressiveness
- Excessive vocalizations
- Overgrooming
- Fearful or doubtful facial expression (widened eyes, larger pupils)
Once you bring them to a quiet room, encourage them to drink cool, fresh water and then enter their crate (if appropriate). Some pets feel a sense of calm and comfort inside their crate. Stay with them, turn on some white noise or music, and watch them for cues that they need something else (like a bathroom break or a snack).
We also provide pet boarding and would be happy to host them during certain holidays or events that may be stressful.
Noise Phobia In Pets
Pets can learn to accept perceived threats through a desensitization process. This involves playing recordings of fireworks or thunderstorms while praising and rewarding them, creating a positive association instead of a scary one.
If your pet continues to show signs of stress, fear and anxiety around certain holidays or noises, please let us know. Our team is always here to help pets feel better!