The Fourth of July is the highlight of summer, and we all enjoy celebrating with friends, family, plenty of food, and fireworks. However, while we cherish these traditions, they can be scary and even harmful to our pets. Sadly, these events can terrify our pets. Keeping your dog calm during the loud fireworks on July 4th can be challenging.
The American Humane Association notes that more pets go missing during July 4th than any other time, with July 5th being the busiest day for animal shelters. Fireworks can scare pets, causing them to run away into the night.
Firework Frenzies?
You might wonder if your dog is afraid of fireworks. While not every dog is, about 40% are sensitive to loud noises. This sensitivity can include thunderstorms, gunshots, and even loud car noises, all causing stress.
Signs of noise sensitivity include:
- Whining
- Pacing
- Shivering
- Hiding
- Lip licking
- Ears pulling back
If you notice these behaviors, your dog might be struggling with noise sensitivity.
The good news is you can still enjoy the holiday and help your dog stay calm during fireworks. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your dog for this event and how CBD might help calm them during July 4th fireworks.
Safe and Sound
Several organizations, like the AKC, The Kennel Club, and Hill’s, offer tips to keep your dog calm during fireworks. Here are some of the best:
Leave Your Pets at Home: It’s tempting to bring your furry friends to festivities, but they’re safer at home. Loud noises, unfamiliar environments, new smells, and crowds can overwhelm them, increasing the risk of them getting scared and running away. Even if your dog seems calm usually, it’s best not to put them in potentially frightening situations.
Create a Safe Space: The best place for your pet during fireworks is a quiet, closed-off room at home. Make it comfortable with their bed, blanket, or crate. Use a TV, radio, or fan for white noise to soften outside sounds. Provide their favorite toys and consider an extra walk earlier in the day to tire them out. Ensure they have plenty of water, especially if they pant more when nervous. Treat them with calming snacks and stay with them if they’re very scared. Never force them out of their safe spot or scold them for being afraid.
Ensure and Update Proper ID: Make sure your pets have ID tags with your latest contact information. Also, ensure they’re microchipped, and your details are up-to-date in the microchip registry. This increases the chances of being reunited if they get lost.
Keep Them Safe Outdoors: If you’re outside with your pets during the holiday, keep them on a leash. Remember that too much heat can be harmful. Provide them with shade and water and never leave them alone outside, even in a fenced yard.
Desensitize to Firework Sounds: Playing firework sounds softly ahead of time might help. Play them at a low volume, giving treats to create a positive association. This might help them learn to not fear the loud sounds of fireworks.
Be Aware of Hidden Dangers: Even if you avoid fireworks, other loud items like glow jewelry, fireworks, matches, and insect repellents can be hazardous. Be careful to keep these away from your pets to prevent accidents.
Consider Using CBD to Calm Dogs: If your dog is fearful of fireworks, CBD might offer extra comfort and care.
You could use CBD to help your dog calm down
You may ask, “How can I calm my dog during fireworks?” once you know your pet is safer away from the loud parties. CBD might help them get over their fear of fireworks.
Many people who have used CBD or know someone who has know that it can help them deal with stress. CBD helps people, and it turns out it can help pets too. Because it naturally calms animals, you can give it to them when the July 4th fireworks are going off.
