4
th
of July Fireworks
I am the owner of four wonderful dogs, one of which suffers from severe anxiety. My sweet boy Tank is usually a nervous wreck when it comes to loud noises going boom in the night. Throughout the 8 years that he has been a part of our family we have learned a few tips about how to keep him calm and safe during the 4
th
of July festivities and especially during the fireworks.
The 4
th
of July festivities may be an enjoyable celebration for some humans but for our beloved pets the fireworks can be a nightmare. Pets don’t understand what all the booming and commotion is about and for some dogs this can actually be terrifying.
In our experience, we know that more dogs get lost during the 4
th
of July holiday than any other holiday. In general our call volume for lost dogs normally doubles and sometimes even triples on this highly celebrated holiday.
We urge everyone to prepare before the holiday so that your pets can have a safe and comfortable place to spend the 4
th
. Some great preparation tips is to make sure that all your pets have on a collar with tags and are microchipped with current and up-to-date information so that if they do escape they have a better chance of making it home. Also, checking all of your fences and gates is important as letting your dogs out in early evening prior to the fireworks is also helpful. Please don’t allow your pets to go out of the house unattended during this time.
It’s important for dogs that have pre-existing anxiety issues to see a veterinarian prior to this holiday. There are anti-anxiety medications available that may be able to help your anxious pet.
During the 4
th
of July festivities please keep your pets safe indoors. It can be helpful to turn up the TV or a radio to drown out the sound of the fireworks. If you do have to take your pet outside for a potty break please keep them on a leash so that they are under your control. It only takes a second for a firework to go off, startle your dog and cause them to jump a fence or to escape.
A few moments of preparation can prevent days or even years of unnecessary heartache. We love our pets so be proactive in protecting their well being. Remember their life depends on you.
Have a safe 4
th
of July.
Theresa Sumpter
Executive Director, Detroit Pit Crew
