While the Fourth of July can be a ton of fun, loud fireworks and firecrackers can terrify pets — and concern their owners. So many dogs and cats run away in fear that animal shelters typically see about a 30% spike in lost pets from July 4-6.
Unfortunately, emergency animal hospitals see a spike in patients, too — including pets hit by cars while running away, according to Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“Unfortunately, Fourth of July is the most common time for emergency hospitals to be busy and for shelters to be picking up lost pets,” he said. “They hear a boom and then they go running. Even if you had a leash on them, they may pull the leash out of your hand.”
Dogs and cats might be simply curious about the startling sounds or vibrations shaking their home, but many develop anxiety that can even lead to self-harm, he noted.
Preparing Pets For Fourth Of July Fireworks
Before anything happens, Dr. Bailey recommends developing a safe place for your pet, such as a crate or cat carrier. The crate or carrier should contain a blanket, treats, a toy and always have the door open in case the dog or cat needs to retreat to feel safer — and pets should never be disturbed once they’re in their safe space.
He’s always taught his dogs to head inside on the cue “Crate,” including his family’s current dog, Sasha.
“This is the thing I want to emphasize to folks: when I say, ‘Crate,’ we’re not doing this as a punishment,” he said. “In fact, we don’t put them in the crate as a punishment. We put them in the crate as a safe place.”
If this is your pet’s first Fourth, consider playing music with fireworks or booming, like the 1812 Overture, before the holiday to help get them used to such noises. Keep things positive with treats, toys and/or praise.
For pets known to have serious anxiety about fireworks, Dr. Bailey suggests talking to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication or ThunderShirts, a wrap for dogs and cats that can be calming during thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud events.
On Independence Day, take your pet for a long walk or enjoy a play session to tire them out before nightfall and the accompanying noise.
“The idea is maybe they’ll be so tired they won’t notice,” he said.
Try to avoid walking your pet during the heat of the day and be sure to keep a tight hold on the leash in case a neighbor sets off a firecracker during your walk, he added.
When evening falls, situate your dog or cat in a quiet room, potentially with their crate. Play music on the radio to try to muffle outdoor noise. If you’ll be going out to celebrate, consider having a friend or pet sitter stay with your pet to help ease their anxiety.
Fourth Of July Safety Tips
Because so many pets get scared of fireworks and run away, Dr. Bailey stressed the importance of having an ID tag with your current phone number on your pet’s collar all night, and making sure their microchip is registered — and your contact information is up to date.
He noted that most police departments and fire stations — as well as animal hospitals and shelters — have microchip scanners, so they can help reunite you with your pet if the correct information is registered with a microchip registry (such as PetLink or AKC Reunite).
“If you do your little part, they’ll do their part,” he said.
If you host a Fourth of July party, make sure guests know to keep the door to the pet’s quiet room closed. Don’t share table scraps with pets, since gastrointestinal upset — or eating pet-toxic food like grapes or chocolate — is another reason why so many pets wind up in the ER on the Fourth, according to Dr. Bailey.
The day after the holiday, keep dogs leashed on walks and keep an eye out for discarded sparklers — and their sharp metal points — and other potentially dangerous trash from neighborhood celebrations.
Ultimately, Dr. Bailey hopes pet owners will talk to their veterinarians before the Fourth of July to discuss any strategies for making the holiday as safe and stress-free as possible for pets.
“Your veterinarian isn’t just there to give vaccinations and whatnot. They can give you general health advice about your pet,” he said. “And what we’re talking about here is psychological advice as well as overall physical health. Your veterinarians are trained or they know people who are trained in this area. So let’s utilize those.”
