24/06/2025
🎆 Fireworks & Fear: Why Your Dog Might Be Struggling More Than You Think
The 4th of July may be fun for us, but for many dogs, it’s the scariest night of the year. And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize:
🔥 Loud noises don’t just startle dogs- they can hurt.
There have been several studies that show that dogs with musculoskeletal pain (like arthritis or undiagnosed joint issues) were significantly more sensitive to loud noises. Why? Because sound doesn’t just hit their ears, it vibrates through their entire body....and if their joints or muscles are already inflamed, that sudden, intense vibration can create a spike in pain.
💥 Over time, dogs start to associate fireworks with sharp, internal pain - which increases stress hormones like cortisol and makes their anxiety worse with each exposure.
The good news? When those same dogs were treated for their underlying pain, many showed reduced anxiety around loud noises. This means some of the fear we see in our dogs may not just be behavioral..... it could be physical.
💡 Here’s how to help your dog this 4th of July:
• Keep them indoors in a safe, quiet space - white noise and calming music help.
• Stay calm and offer comfort - you can’t “reinforce fear,” but you can offer support.
• If your dog has shown firework anxiety in the past, talk to your vet now about possible pain or anxiety support.
• Don’t assume “they’ll be fine.” Even one scary night can be traumatizing.
❤️🩹 If your dog could ask for help, they would. Let’s give it to them.
