Tips to help Your Pets cope with Fireworks

With Independence Day being less than a month away, it is a good time to discuss the relationship between pets and fireworks. Fireworks can be very harmful to your pets, causing hearing problems and psychological stress. Many pets react differently to fireworks and loud noises, so when using the below suggestions, you will want to monitor your pet to be sure they are reacting safely.

Dogs

• Exercise your dog during the day
• Never walk your dog while fireworks are going off
• During the evening hours when fireworks are most common, keep your dog inside with windows and curtains shut. It is good to play music or have the TV on to mask the noise.
• Don’t get upset if your dog wants to hide in a corner or under furniture. If you show anger, the dog can associate this with something that they are doing wrong and have psychological issues in the future. They may also become defensive.
• Be sure your dog is wearing a collar with up-to-date information so he can be returned if he runs off.

If your dog gets especially upset during firework displays and other loud noise events, you can ask your vet about the Dog Appeasing Pheromone. This is a synthetically created chemical that acts like the natural scent produced by a dog shortly after it has given birth. This pheromone is naturally calming and reassuring to newborn puppies. You can get it in the form of a plug in diffuser that will spread the scent in the air. Scientists have found that it works on dogs of all ages.

Cat owners can follow the same rules as you would a dog. Cats often react the same as dogs do. They will hide, act upset and possibly hiss or claw if you try to bring them out of their hiding place.