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Fireworks & Pets: Tips for a Low-Stress Holiday

Ted Rheingold — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:28:26 +0000

This is a guest post by great Dogster friend Molly Kenefick, founder and manager of Doggy Lama Pet Care

Independence Day is almost here, and while we humans may love a good fireworks display, our dogs (and other pets, too) may feel as if those loud, unpredictable sounds signal the coming of the end of the world. Our dogs may suddenly do things we’ve never known them to do, but with a little preparation and forethought, we can make our nation’s birthday a relatively safe, easy, and relaxing holiday for us and our pets. Here are some tips to help ensure you and your dog have a low-stress holiday:

» Never take your dog to a firework display.
» If at all possible, be home with your dog when you think fireworks will be going off. No one wants to be alone when they’re afraid.
» If you can’t stay home with your dog when fireworks are scheduled to go off, bring him inside. If your dog is terrified, he may be able to perform amazing feats of strength and agility—he may climb a fence you didn’t think he could climb, or dig underneath one when he’s never shown interest in digging before. Don’t take that chance.
» To help drown out the sound of the fireworks, put on a classical music radio station, which is much more soothing than television. Start to leave that station on now when you go out—before the holiday—so that he gets used to it.
» Make sure you leave plenty of water out. A stressed-out dog needs to drink extra water to stay cool.
» Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise on the days around the fourth of July—a tired dog will be less anxious than one with plenty of energy and no way to express it.
» Take your evening walk a bit earlier (before it gets dark)—you’ll be less likely to be caught outside your home or yard when there are fireworks going off in your neighbor’s backyard.
» If your dog has an anxiety attack because of fireworks, do not soothe and comfort your dog. That sounds cruel, but rewarding an anxious animal with lots of touch and love is just reinforcing anxious behavior. It’s better to be cheerful and seem in control—that encourages your dog to think that whatever is happening is not a big deal.
» Make sure your dog is wearing his identification at all times. Some owners remove collars when their dog is in the house. That’s usually fine to do, but a terrified dog may uncharacteristically bolt out the door when given an opportunity to do so. If your dog ends up on the street or in the pound, you want him to be wearing his identification. (Pets should be micro-chipped as well as wearing up-to-date identification tags.)
» Have some Bach’s Rescue Remedy on hand. This is a safe, anti-anxiety flower remedy. Put a few drops in his water twice a day. (If possible, give your pets filtered water—an inexpensive Brita water filter is fine. Make sure you wash out pet food and water bowls at least every other day to reduce bacterial growth.) Another popular holistic remedy is a plug-in product, “Comfort Zone with Dog Appeasing Pheromone,” or D.A.P., said to reduce stress-related behavior.
» Make your dog a cozy dark den to hide away in. Some dogs will follow their owners around the house and others will need to hide away. Put a blanket and a favorite toy in a closet in case your dog falls into the latter category.
» If you’re home with your dog when fireworks are going off, you can try to entertain and distract your dog. You might break out the treat-filled Kong, the extra-special toys, or play hide-and-go-seek.
» If you know a dog very well who isn’t afraid of fireworks, schedule an inside-at-night sleepover play-date with him. Your dog will get the message from the other dog that it’s not a big deal, and, coupled with your calm and confident behavior, will be much happier than otherwise. (You should only do this with a dog with whom you already have a very solid relationship with.)

Keep in mind that our neighbors and surrounding towns may be setting off fireworks in the days leading up to the Fourth of July and past that date. For that reason, pet-owners need to be vigilant for the days and nights surrounding the holiday.

Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday!

July 4th Safety Tips

Horst Hoefinger — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:22:12 +0000

The Fourth of July is coming up and everyone is looking forward to a long weekend of fun and fireworks. Unfortunately, sometimes we forget what’s enjoyable for us isn’t for our four-legged pals and without proper precautions this can lead to tragedy.

The HSUS site shares the sad story of the Moores’ family. They had gone out for a few hours and their dog, D.O.G., panicked because of the fireworks. Somehow she opened the sliding glass door and got out of the house. D.O.G. then escaped the yard and ultimately ended up getting hit and killed by a car.

If you prepare before the festivities begin you can prevent a tragedy like the Moores experienced from happening to you.

Fortunately, preventing pet problems on Independence Day is possible by simply planning ahead and taking some basic precautions.

“With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can enjoy the excitement of the Fourth of July and know that your animal companion is safe, sound, and enjoying a little peace and quiet,” said Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist with The Humane Society if the United States.

To protect your pet on the Fourth of July, take these precautions:

* Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.

* Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects-even death-in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

* Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.

* If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

* Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

* Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

* If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend, read our information on Caring for Pets When You Travel.

Please keep these precautions in mind as you prepare for the weekend, we want everyone to enjoy the holiday. Hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July!

* Sara is ready for the weekend, isn’t she cute?

Tip of the Week: Fourth of July

Angela Moore — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:05:43 +0000

As always, thanks to the Sunbear Squad for this helpful tip:

Watch for stray pets frightened by holiday fireworks—they may bolt through traffic or get lost.