by Christine Pesta
There are certain causes for celebration that usually include fireworks in the festivities. However, animals do not consider fireworks a cause for celebration. With dogs hearing up to 2.5 times better than humans, and cats up to five times better, it’s no wonder that during holidays such as the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, your dog and cat get extremely stressed out.
Across the United States, the busiest day for animal shelters is July 5th. Pets will escape homes through open doors and windows, jump fences, or even dig their way out of a yard to try to escape the terrifying sounds that panic them and stress them out. Many people find other people’s pets roaming the streets the following day after running off during the previous evening.
So what is the best way to try to help your furry friends through such a trying time for them? Below are a few tips to get them through what can be a very scary, confusing, and stressful event. Every pet is different and you will, of course, know what they might respond to best. There may be more than one tactic you have to use to calm your four-legged family member, or you may also find yourself using several methods if there is more than one pet in the house.
Try these methods to help protect and calm your pets:
Don’t take them to events involving fireworks
This should be a no-brainer, but there are those who aren’t even thinking about how uncomfortable or frightened their pet can become until it’s too late.
Keep them away from matches, lighter fluid, and fireworks
Another that some people aren’t thinking about when they are preparing for a celebration. Having items such as firecrackers, lighter fluid, or matches laying anywhere near where a pet can get hold of them is dangerous. They all contain poisonous chemicals that can severely harm or kill your pet. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure you are not using fireworks around pets to avoid them getting burned.
Escape-proof your home
Many pets try to find a way to escape the noise that they hear so much louder than we do. They’ll do anything, and run anywhere, to escape the frightening sounds they hear and have no control over stopping. Make sure all windows and doors are tightly shut. Dogs and cats should not be outside where they can climb or jump over a fence, or dig a hole under to run off into the night.
Set up a safe spot in the house
Setting up an area in the quietest part of the house is probably the best thing you can do to help them to stay settled and not try to run away. Bring their bed, favorite toy, and treats there to help them feel safe and secure.
Stay close and help calm your pet
While your first thought might be to go out and enjoy the festivities, there is a family member who will need you during this time. Stay home and stay with your pet while they try to cope with a very frightening and uncomfortable situation. As suggested earlier, set up a safe place for them to try to better relax during all of the noise. Turning the TV on low with a favorite movie or program they like to watch helps some dogs and cats by distracting them, as does soft, gentle, calming music. Stroke them or hold them while talking to them and helping to reassure them that everything will be okay. It makes a world of difference to them if they see that you are with them and you are not going anywhere. Sleeping next to your pet that night might also help to keep them calm. Putting a blanket over them can be very soothing for them as well. There are some blankets made especially for pets to help prevent anxiety.
Make sure your dog or cat has up-to-date identification information
In the event that your pet does manage to run away, having up-to-date microchip and I.D. collar information will be extremely helpful in reuniting you with your pet.
Things you can do if you find a stray pet
Perhaps you don’t lose a pet yourself, but find someone else’s during the holidays; what should you do? The chances are that the pet lives somewhere in your neighborhood and may still be disoriented, scared, and possibly panicked if the area they have run to is unfamiliar to them, and they are having trouble finding their way home.
While you can bring them to a shelter, you can also check first to see if they have any identification that includes an address or phone number. You can also check social media and the website Petco Love Lost to see if anyone has posted the missing pet you’ve found. Another way to see first if you can find the owner is to take a walk or drive through the neighborhood to see if you see any signs posted about the missing pet, or if anyone recognizes the animal. Taking a walk, block by block, with the pet might result in the pet reacting if you come upon the block or the home in which it lives.
If you do choose to take it to a shelter or animal hospital, if the pet has a microchip, the owner may be easy to find and contact. Just be sure if you approach an animal that appears to be the victim of a fireworks display event, be gentle and let the animal see that you pose no threat and allow it to come to you. Otherwise, if the animal is still too frightened, it may be in a defensive mode that could pose harm to you, or to the animal itself in trying to, once again, run away.
Organize an event of your own this holiday
If you know other pet owners with the same problem during the holiday, try getting a few pet owners and their pets together for a sleepover or “pet party”. Depending on the animals involved, a get together might help all of them cope better. If your pet has friends from the dog park or doggie day care, see if the owners might find it a good idea to bring all of them together in a safe place, removed from as much of the noise as possible, so that they can socialize and be distracted by each other’s company.
Loyal and loving pets
Pets are members of the family. They care for us, look out for us, and love us unconditionally. They also rely on us to keep them safe from harm. We must not neglect their needs during a time when they are feeling scared and vulnerable. Make sure you are doing everything you can during any celebration day that commonly involves fireworks, to be sure that your animal companions are safe and as stress-free as possible. It will be so much easier for them to get through it if they know they have you there to help them.
