How to Look After Your Pets On 4th July

Fourth of July or the American Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks in various cities of US. Pets are very scared of the fireworks, so you could do your bit to comfort your pet by the various ways.

Ways to protect your pet on 4th of July: 

1) Pets are upset by the noise, smell of sulfur and flashing lights of fireworks; contact the local municipality to know when the fireworks is going to take place in your area. Check the pet’s ID tags and microchips and ensure the payments are up-to-date to make it easier to identify ownership if the pet runs off during the firework events.

2) Prevent phobias for loud noises in your pet by desensitization of noises, before and after the event.

3) Make your house a pet safety zone by keeping some lights on and closing the curtains to dampen the noise. Cover bird cages with thick blankets to prevent flashes of light affecting the bird. Soother the pet by turning on familiar sounds like the TV or stereo at a tolerable volume to drown noise of fireworks. 

4) Choose to put your pet in a room that is least impacted by noise; close the door to prevent your pet from running about the house and injuring itself. If you have more than one pet, put amicable pets only in one room or select separate rooms. The room should be cozy with pleasant temperature and should contain familiar chew toys, scratch pads, and balls for the pet’s amusement and distraction. Lavender could calm the pet, but avoid using heated scent oils or incense; a frantic pet can injure himself by knocking over. Also ensure there are no sharp items around.

5) Prepare yourself and be calm to face the startled and frantic reactions of your pet; transferring your anxiety could upset your pet.  

6) Confine your pets into the chosen room half an hour before the fireworks is set off and plan their activities like walks accordingly.

7) Ensure that the pet gets adequate food and water by keeping them in the room. Water will help ease the pet’s uneasiness and frantic feelings and the pet’s regular portioned food would make him feel that it is a normal day.

8) If you have time consider it an opportunity to comfort and talk to him; however do not make a fuss. If your pet wants to hide somewhere, allow him, as this is his way of coping with anxiety.  

9) Reassure and remove all protections after the fireworks and allow him to run around in the house to see how he behaves and check out for any signs of stress like running away, soiling the house, hiding and refusing to eat. Wait till morning to let him outside; make sure you keep the litter tray somewhere in the house and walk your dog outside after the fireworks, making sure to not let him from the harness.  

10)In case there are sparklers and fireworks, make sure you sweep the yard before leaving the pet outside to avoid injury from unfamiliar objects.

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