How To Keep Your Pets Calm During July 4th Fireworks
Pretty soon fireworks will be exploding all over Tampa Bay. While we may be looking forward to the centerpiece of the July 4th festivities, it doesn’t mean our pets will share our enthusiasm. In fact, they may find the celebratory events frightening, and, in some cases, painful.
Registering between 150 and 175 decibels, fireworks are actually louder than live gunfire (140 decibels), and even many plane takeoffs at 120 decibels. Decibels measure the loudness of a sound and hertz mentions the frequency.
We sustain damage to our ears at just 85 decibels, even though we can only hear to about 20,000 hertz. Dogs, on the other hand, can hear between 45,000 and 65,000 hertz, so just think about the physical and emotional damage they could sustain if they are too close to the fireworks, or left outside to fend for themselves.
When dogs are extremely anxious or frightened – or in pain – they tend to bolt – digging under a fence or jumping over it. Some have even been known to break windows in order to escape. All of these behaviors have been documented in dogs frightened by fireworks. Once they are loose, they face dangers that include being runover or stolen.
At least 40% of domestic dogs have noise phobias, and there are just as many cats in the same predicament. The only saving grace for cats is that they tend to hide rather than flee.
What can you do to help your pet stay calm on July 4th? Here are some tips:
- Burn up energy ahead of fireworks. Take your dog for a long walk before dark. Play with your cat and have him chase toys. Maybe a catnip party is in order! Tired and relaxed pets stay calmer.
- Bring your pets indoors. Put them in an interior room where there will be the least amount of noise. Crate your dog if it makes him feel secure, and place an elevated cave – either store-bought or just a cardboard box – with blankets – for the cat to burrow in. Put favorite toys in the room.
- Keep windows and curtains closed. Keep a light on, and flip on the TV or radio so that the outdoor sounds of the fireworks are not as pronounced.
- Calming products. Talk to your vet about anti-anxiety meds, if you know your pet is going to be extremely agitated because of the fireworks. You could also try wrapping your dog or cat into a thunder shirt. A tight-fitting T-shirt should accomplish the same thing without spending any money.
- Keep your cool. Our pets react to our own emotional displays. If you stay calm, it will help your pets do the same.
