| July 4th is not a time of celebration for pets. The "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air" are terrifying and disorienting for most dogs and cats. Dogs often react to fireworks by cowering, hiding or trembling in terror. Worse yet, driven by fear and confusion, they may try to escape from the house or the yard.
Here are a few tips to make July 4th safer and less stressful for your pet:
| |  | Don't take your dog to places where there may be fireworks, or people with firecrackers.
Keep your pet indoors. Confine him in a quiet sheltered area of the house, preferably a room that's protected from outside sounds.
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| Shut the windows, close the blinds and draw the curtains. Turn on the TV or radio to drown out the noise of fireworks.
Stay home with your pet, especially at night, when firework activity heats up.
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| Distract your pet by playing games with his favorite toys.
If you can't stay at home to keep an eye on your pet, consider putting him in a crate or carrier in a secluded room, so he won't run or lunge in panic and hurt himself when the fireworks begin.
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| Give your dog plenty of exercise early in the day, so he'll be tired during the nighttime fireworks.
Take your dog for his evening walk BEFORE the fireworks begin.
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| Make sure your pet is microchipped or is wearing an ID tag, in case he somehow escapes and runs away.
Medication may help to ease the stress for pets that are extremely afraid of fireworks. Check with your vet before July 4th to see if tranquilizers are advisable, and to determine the correct dose.
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| Give your pet freedom this 4th of July - freedom from danger and fear!
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