Ahead of 4th of July celebrations, the American Kennel Club is reminding residents that fireworks can cause animals a great deal of stress as they cannot control their reactions to the loud and unpredictable fireworks and often run away.
According to animal shelters and lost pet finders, such as PetAmberAlert, there’s a 30-to-60 percent increase in lost pets each year between July 4 and 6th.
To make sure your dog is not on the wrong side of that number, here are a few tips to prepare your dog for the firework celebrations.
- Keep license and updated identification tags on them and make sure microchip information is up to date. HSPPR responds to an increased number of stray dog calls during the 4th of July. Keeping their licenses, ID’s, and microchip information up to date and on them at all times helps frightened runaways make it home faster.
- Take them on a walk. Before fireworks start, walk your pet so they can have a bathroom break and express some energy.
- Use a leash or carrier. If you have to go outside while fireworks are going off keep your pet close to you.
- Keep your pets at home. Even if your dog does not have noise phobias, fireworks can cause burns or other serious injuries to curious pets.
- If possible, keep pets in interior rooms. Keep them in a place where they feel safe, and use calming music, not the television, to provide distraction.
- Provide them with an “escape.” Pets will often seek out a familiar crate, bed, or hiding spot during loud fireworks. Make sure they have access to a place they feel is their “own.”
- Be fire safe! Do not let your dog near fireworks, lighter fluid, or matches. Sniffing or eating them could cause serious injury.
