TIPS TO CALM YOUR PETS ON THE 4TH OF JULY
(borrowed from a friend - Thanks Chelsea)
1. DESENSITIZE YOUR PET
Begin by getting your pet accustomed to the sound of fireworks – this video on YouTube is a great starting point! --> https://youtu.be/H7FANXaanG4
2. PROVIDE YOUR PET WITH A SAFE SPACE
Some pets will feel comforted by having their own safe space to hide when frightening fireworks go off. Consider purchasing a crate, add some cozy blankets, a crate bed, and a few favorite toys to make a true comfort den for your nervous pet.
3. DISTRACT YOUR PET WITH TASTY TOYS
Give your pet something better to do than worry! For a dog - Give him a good chew to chomp on or a dog puzzle toy to keep him occupied. Another popular dog distraction strategy is to fill a Kong with tasty wet food and freeze it – your pooch will spend the next few hours licking away at it! Give your cat catnip or a cat toy!
4. DIFFUSE CALMING OILS IN YOUR HOME
T-AWAY (specifically formulated for pets), Peace & Calming, Lavender, Stress Away, and Valor are all great choices! Make sure to diffuse in a space where your pet is able to leave the area is they choose to.
5. UPDATE YOUR PET’S COLLAR & TAGS
It’s not uncommon for pets to escape and bolt during fireworks out of fear. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, as they spend most of the day making phone calls and trying to reunite missing pets with their frantic owners.
Make sure your pet has a properly fitting collar and ID tags with contact info, just in case he/she takes off. It’s also smart to have recent photos of your pet on hand to send to shelters so they can keep an eye out for them.
*Dog - If you know your dog is especially prone to taking off at the sound of firecrackers, consider getting your pooch geared up with a dog GPS tracker so you can locate them once things have calmed down.
6. EXERCISE YOUR DOG
Earlier in the day, try to take your pooch for a good long walk to tire him out. As the saying goes – “a tired dog is a happy dog.” Tuckering your pooch out can reduce his anxiety and may prevent him from getting overly anxious later in the evening when the fireworks go off. Just make sure to adhere to basic summer safety guidelines when it comes to exercising in the heat. We recommend a nice long walk in the AM!
7. TRY A THUNDERSHIRT (OR MAKE YOUR OWN)
Many owners swear by the power of the Thundershirt – a wraparound vest your dog wears that is said to instantly calm them down through the use of gentle pressure.
Grab the official Thundershirt, or try making your own DIY version using a scarf or ace bandage. You could even put a calming oil in your palms and rub it on the shirt!
8. LEAVE THE TV OR RADIO ON
While we mentioned playing firework sounds to desensitize your pet early on, it’s also not a bad idea to keep the radio or TV on if you plan on being out during the fireworks. Other sounds may distract your pet from the booming firework noises.
9. SHUT THE CURTAINS
Close the windows and curtains during fireworks to minimize sound and keep your pet feeling safe. If you have any areas of your home that tend to be more sound-proof than others, opt for those sound-dampening areas to alleviate your pet’s anxiety.
If you have a basement, taking your pet down there can help reduce noise. Throw in some laundry and put on some music to drown out any firework noise.
10. STAY HOME (IF YOU CAN)
Obviously, this one isn’t for everyone, but ultimately it’ll be best if you can stay home with your four-footer during 4th of July fireworks. They’ll feel much happier and safer with you by their side!
If you can’t be home for the 4th, consider grabbing a Dog Camera that will let you monitor your pooch’s progress remotely. With some, you can dispense dog treats from the camera to distract and encourage your pup when things get scary!