Fourth of July Pet Safety Tips

The Fourth of July and fireworks go hand in hand. Humans love to gaze skyward at those nighttime bursts of color. Fireworks seem to bring out the kid in us, no matter our age.

Our furry friends don’t always feel the same way. Fireworks are extremely noisy. Because we aren’t detonating fireworks all the time, those blasts, booms and explosions aren’t part of our everyday human soundscape. There aren’t regular opportunities for pets to get used to them. As a result, many critters find firework noise terrifying.

Shelters everywhere report that the days following July 4th celebrations are some of their busiest. Pets panicked by the firework sounds flee their homes and yards, or bolt from their humans. In a frenzy to escape the explosions, many pets get lost.  Even pets that are normally unphased by noises can become frightened and confused by firework noise, and may attempt to run away or by engage in behaviors like digging, chewing, barking or whining.

Follow these tips to keep pets safe on the Fourth of July:

• Take your dog for a long run/ workout early in the morning before festivities begin.
• Walk your dog on leash unless you’re exercising him in a totally enclosed location.
• Keep pets indoors in a quiet, cool, safe room during Fourth of July celebrations. Close windows and keep curtains or blinds drawn. Tape down electrical cords that can’t be removed, and remove stuff you don’t want chewed such as shoes, rugs, plants, etc.
• Turn on the TV, some music or a fan to muffle explosions and distract your pet. Leave out some favorite toys. A long-term safe chewable treat or food-stuffed frozen Kong will keep some dogs busy and focused on something other than firework noise. A litter box is a must for cats.
• Skip taking your pets to parties or events where there’ll be firecrackers or fireworks. Critters really don’t want to be close to that kind of action.
• Don’t tether or leave pets in the backyard during celebrations. Dogs can break free of tethers or other restraints and injure themselves in the process. Pets can jump over or dig under fences to escape.
• Dogs should have an ample potty break before fireworks are to begin.
• Make sure your pets are wearing secure ID tags, current licenses and are microchipped.
• If your pet is already noise-sensitive and you know she’s going to be more than a little distressed by fireworks, talk to your vet about medications and/or alternative herbal remedies to help calm her during the festivities.
• If you find a critter that’s lost, take her to your local animal shelter as quickly as you can.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO YOU ALL!

Many thanks for these fabulous Flickr Photographers: Plousia and Cyberdoug.

Lisa-Anne Manolius is the multi- talented owner/trainer of Oh Behave! in San Francisco. A graduate of the S.F. SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers and U.C. Berkeley's Boalt School of Law, she's available for dog behavior consultations, private training sessions, and to teach a variety of group classes. She can be reached at lisaohbehave@gmail.com.

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