5 ways to keep your dog safe during July Fourth fireworks
You may be excited for the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks, but your dog is most certainly not.
An estimated 40 percent of dogs have noise anxiety, making July 5 the busiest day for animal shelters with runaway canines, The New York Times reports.
We talked with Dr. Terri Bright, director of behavior services at MSPCA-Angell, to find out how you can help your four-legged friends cope with the holiday. Below, five steps to keep your dog safe during the festivities.
1. Keep food handy
Bright suggests having Fido’s favorite snacks handy, such as food inside a Kong toy, to create a positive association with the loud bursts of noise.
“Let them eat so that their first experience can be, ‘Hey, I hear loud noises, but I’m eating food,’ ” Bright said. “Eating is the opposite of fear. When you eat you feel better. So if you can get them eating when they’re slightly scared, then you can avoid the complete fearful response.”
2. Build pets a bunker
Bright advises using a white noise machine and creating a hiding space for pets to rest in to help drown out the fireworks.
“Put in a nice, comfy blanket and some toys they like,” she said, suggesting a closet as the perfect pet fort.
Bright said if your dog will let you, it’s OK to hug and comfort them if they’re afraid.
3. Talk to your vet
Bright said to talk to your vet about getting sedatives for you dog ahead of the celebration if you know your pooch panics at the sound of fireworks and will try to escape the house or yard.
“There are some dogs that are so frightened that they just cannot recover,” she said. “They can’t be consoled. They can’t be contained. They just completely freak out, and so those dogs really need some level of medication.”
4. Be wary around the barbecue
Fireworks aren’t the only hazard for canines during July Fourth. Bright said she often sees dogs that have eaten skewers and bones they shouldn’t have, or have tipped over barbecues at a cookout.
“Make sure you keep your dog under control at the barbecue and bring toys for them to play with,” she said. “Keep them on the leash and give them stuff to do, so that they stay out of trouble.”
5. Watch your dog while out and about
With the summer heat, dogs can overheat easily, so Bright said to make sure you’re remembering Fido while you’re out — however you’re celebrating.
“Don’t just do your two mile run and not even look at your dog,” she said. “Keep an eye on them, stop and rest, give them water.”
Not all dogs love crowds either. So if your four-legged companion looks fearful and overwhelmed, Bright said to find a place away from the masses and give them some treats.
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