Having a fun 4th of July with your pets involves a little planning and some precautions to ensure their comfort and safety. While planning for a busy family and friends holiday celebration, it's easy to forget this might not be your pets favorite holiday. Many dogs struggle with the loud noises of fireworks. My French Bulldogs don’t seem to mind, however our Great Pyrenees is a completely different story. Every year there is a fireworks show a few miles away from home and one year I forgot to give her anxiety medication and put her indoors. She was so scared she ran away for two days! I felt horrible and now it’s on my mind every year. Here are some tips to help you and your furry friends enjoy the holiday:

Firework Readiness:

1. Prepare a Safe Space

• Create a Quiet Environment: Set up a safe, quiet space inside your home where your dog can retreat from the noise. This could be a room with closed windows and doors to help muffle the sounds.
• Provide Comfort Items: Include their favorite bed, blankets, toys, and possibly an item of your clothing for your scent.

2. Exercise and Routine

• Exercise Earlier in the Day: Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day to help reduce anxiety and tire them out.
• Maintain Routine: Stick to your usual feeding and walking schedule as much as possible to provide a sense of normalcy.

3. Noise and Light Management

• Noise Cancellation: Use calming music, white noise, or the TV to help drown out the sound of fireworks.
• Block Visual Stimuli: Close blinds or curtains to block out flashing lights from fireworks.

4. Identification and Safety

• Ensure Proper Identification: Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an up-to-date ID tag and consider having them microchipped if they aren’t already.
• Leash and Harness: Keep your dog on a leash or harness when outside, even in a fenced yard, as loud noises can cause them to bolt.

5. Calming Supports

• Aids: Consider using calming products such as Thundershirts, calming collars, or vet-approved anxiety medications if your dog is particularly anxious.
  • If you would like to try medication, make your appointment well in advance of the 4^th and/or refill medications at least a week ahead.
• Human Companion: If you know your dog gets very anxious, try to stay home with them during the fireworks.

6. Monitor Behavior

• Watch for Signs of Stress: Keep an eye on your dog for signs of stress, such as panting, pacing, whining, or hiding, and provide comfort as needed.
• Don’t Punish: Avoid punishing your dog for anxious behavior, as this can increase their fear. Instead, offer reassurance and comfort.

Other Holiday Hazards:

Pet-Friendly Foods Only: A big part of the 4^th is the barbeque and other wonderful foods. Avoid feeding your dog human food that can be harmful, such as chocolate, grapes, fatty foods, cooked bones and anything with alcohol.

Heat: In July and August, we start getting into the hottest parts of summer. Monitor your pets for heat stress and make sure they have plenty of fresh water and shade.

Water Hazards: Just like with kids, keep a close eye on pets around the pool and lake. It's easy for them to accidentally fall in when they’re trying to cool off or get a drink. Some dogs don’t swim… ahem… frenchies!

Escapes: You might have lots of family and friends over for the holiday that aren’t used to pets in the home. Gates or doors can get left open easily and pets will quickly go exploring. Make sure your pet is identifiable via a microchip or at least a pet tag. Make sure you keep your microchips updated if you move or change your number!!! Microchips are cheap and easy and can be done at about any vets office. They are invaluable when your pet goes missing!