Firework displays are happening frequently across the country and these pyrotechnics can be seriously distressing for companion animals. 1 in 5 pets go missing after being scared by loud noises, according to the ASPCA. Make sure your furry friends are safe and comfortable during this long holiday weekend! Here are some steps to help keep your companions safe:
- Leave pets at home and inside. Fireworks can be terrifying to pets, even pets who are accustomed to being around people and commotion.
- Create a home sanctuary. Secure your pet in an area of your home where he or she is safe, comfortable and sheltered from any outside noise and lights. An interior room without immediate access to the outside is preferred. Playing a radio with relaxing music may help mask the sound of fireworks.
- Pet-proof your home. When scared, some animals may become destructive so be sure to remove anything from reach that can become damaged or may harm the pet if chewed or eaten.
- Identification is essential. Pets may panic, escape and become lost. Updated identification is critical to ensuring lost pets are reunited with their families. Ideal identification is both a tag and microchip (make sure your chip is registered).
- Consult a veterinarian for pets with anxiety. Consult your veterinarian to seek out remedies to lower your pet’s stress level if this is a known issue.
I encourage you to consider celebrating the holiday without fireworks, which can frighten wildlife as well as pets, or with quiet fireworks, as Jamestown, Rhode Island, did in 2019. However, regardless of how your family celebrates, it is important to take steps to ensure the safety of your pet on a notoriously loud night. Click here for tips on what to do if your pet becomes lost.