Have a fun 4th, but don’t forget your pets!
Lots of us never lose our childlike delight in fireworks, but our pets don’t always share our enthusiasm. At the risk of putting a damper on this fun celebration, I want to talk about what it’s like from a four-legged perspective.
Fourth of July weekend is notoriously hard on pets. By some estimates more dogs are lost on this weekend than at any other time of year. Often the animal’s behavior is uncharacteristic. Normally calm dogs may jump over or dig under a fence and escape. They may break through screens, or bolt from their owner and run away startled by the noise of exploding fireworks.
Stella was a beautiful German Shepherd mix I took care of in my pet sitting business. Her owners learned early in their relationship with her that she was severely traumatized by fireworks. It was so bad for Stella that they would load her in the car and drive to Canada each year to avoid the July 4th festivities. One September weekend I was staying with Stella while her family was on vacation. Around 11 p.m. I heard a muffled boom in the distance. It wasn’t muffled to Stella. Apparently someone was having a small fireworks display for a private event, and Stella nearly went into shock with fright. It was heartbreaking to be unable to console or calm her, and to watch her trauma continue long after the explosions stopped. Well into the night she trembled.
For dogs who are left alone with this kind of phobia, the results can be catastrophic. If they escape without identification, they may never be found. Even with identification, they are sometimes found dead alongside the road.
If you have a pet that is fearful of loud noises, here are some precautions you can take.
1. If you are going out for the evening, secure doors and window and leave a radio or television on to screen the sound of fireworks.
2. Hire a pet sitter to spend the evening with your pets.
3. Be sure your pet is wearing identification at all times, whether by microchip, tattoo, or I.D. tags. Multiple forms of I.D. are best.
4. Don’t take your pets along to the fireworks display or leave them in the car.
5. Don’t leave your pet in the yard, even a secure yard; and never leave your dog chained.
6. Talk to your vet or naturopath for remedies to help calm your pet.
Be aware that even a pet who has never reacted to loud noises in the past can at any time become fearful of fireworks. Better safe than sorry. So enjoy your 4th of July celebrations, but be sure your pets are secure.
Technorati Tags: 4th of July, pets, fireworks, noise phobias, dogs, cats
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Congrats on your first blog post, Vicki!
You can bet I’ll be staying in with my dogs this evening. I never leave them alone on nights when there are fireworks!