Happy 4th of July from The Conscious Cat!
Independence Day is one of our favorite holidays. As we mark the day with parades, picnics and fireworks, remember that noisy celebrations can be a scary time for our pets.
An animal’s sense of hearing is much more acute than ours, and so the noises are much more intent for them. Add to that the lack of understanding of what is going on and you can have a very scared pet on your hands. But celebrations like the 4th of July don’t have to cause such anxiety for your pets. Here are some tips for helping your pet cope with fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud noises:
- Don’t take your pets to outdoor celebrations. The loud noises and colorful skies may be fun for you but they are not enjoyable for your pet. In fact, they can be quite dangerous. A scared dog, running through crowds and/or traffic in the dark is a recipe for disaster.
- Ideally, leave them at home with a human companion. If you must leave them alone, place them in a secure room or crate. Cover the crate with a blanket to help reduce the noise. Shut the curtains and drapes and turn on lights to lessen the flash of the fireworks.
- Leave on a TV or music to drown out the noise from the fireworks. (This works during thunderstorm season as well.)
- Make sure that they are wearing their identification tags and that the information is current.
- Exercise them before the festivities begin — tire them out with a rigorous game of fetch or a long walk. Be sure to do this an hour or two before you leave them to give them time to calm down and enter a restful state.
- Consider a natural calming aid like Rescue Remedy.
