06/30/2024
🎆Keeping Your Pet Calm During the 4th of July Fireworks🎆
Have you noticed your pet hiding in a room, panting, drooling excessively, and even escaping during firework season? These are only a few of the physical signs out of many that pets exhibit when stressed, especially during 4th of July. This article will explain how to identify signs that a pet is fearful and anxious, sources beyond the booming that can trigger nervousness, and provide comforting suggestions to reduce tensions caused by the many factors that come up during the holiday season.
🎆Physical and Behavioral Signs of Stress in Pets
The following signs can be observed when a pet is stressed: panting, pacing, trembling, excessive vocalization, changes in appetite, hiding, destructive chewing, elimination outside a litter box/designated area, or excessive licking. In dogs, look for yawning, lip licking, ears pinned back, or whale eye (whites of their eyes showing). These can give a clear indication that they are stressed out. Cats on the other hand, are a little harder to understand. Some of their compensation methods include overgrooming, excessive eating, vomiting or diarrhea, and scratching furniture. It’s important to understand your pet’s normal behaviors to see a clear difference when it comes to stress.
🎆Sources of Stress with Fireworks and Beyond
Loud noises have the potential to frighten pets into hiding. This is due to noise aversion and is similar to what humans experience as a panic attack. As mentioned earlier, this can cause hiding behaviors, destructive chewing, and worse, escaping.
Unfamiliar environments such as friends and relatives with kids coming into the home can cause crowding with commotion causing disorientation in pets. This will often cause the pet to hide as well. More often, a door may be left open, leaving the chance for a pet to bolt outside.
Changes in routine including their walks, feeding schedule, or playtime can cause a pet to exhibit signs of anxiety.
Human food that has accidentally been dropped on the floor may also be toxic to pets, especially chocolate, grapes, and onions. Some of these foods may also cause the same symptoms mentioned above.
🎆Actions to Take to Calm Your Pet Before and During Fireworks
Speak with your veterinarian. While some pets seem hesitant about the booming outside and just fall asleep, other pets simply cannot. It is important to set a veterinarian appointment in advance to discuss the above symptoms and to explore options for calming your pet. The following is a list of ideas to bring up during the next appointment:
Make sure microchip is up to date and verify information is correct
(July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and July 1st is ID Your Pet Day!)
Discuss noise aversion medications that can be safely used with your pet’s health.
Discuss your pet’s health and up-to-date vaccinations in case of escaping.
Keep pets indoors in a quiet room. Make sure to close any windows and create a dark and calm space for your pet. This will be designated as their safe place. Comfortable bedding, cat or dog toys, and their favorite things can be placed in this area to keep them occupied.
Precautions for going outside. Absolutely make sure your pet stays on a leash and in a harness that is difficult to escape from. With this, you’ll want identifying information attached to their harness and collar. Never leave pets outside unattended.
Because of the changes in routine, it might be harder to get them to use the bathroom, but bringing your pets outside earlier in the evening before fireworks start will give them an opportunity to go before their stress increases.
After reading about identifying signs of anxiety and defining other channels of stress during the holiday season, and actions that can be taken at home, you’ll be able to plan ahead for your pet and ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone including your furry companions.
Have a safe 4th of July!
Heather McLaren
Advanced Animal Transport
Dedicated NAPPS Volunteer
