How to keep your pets calm, relaxed during July Fourth fireworks, thunderstorms

Mariyam Muhammad, Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read

Did you know that 50% of dogs in the U.S. get anxiety from fireworks during the Fourth of July?

Summer can bring anxiety in pets, whether it’s booming fireworks or thunder clapping from summer storms. It’s not just dogs that struggle with anxiety, but also cats.

Snoozer Pet Products is part of a nationwide campaign to educate cat and dog owners about how to help their pets remain calm and familiarize themselves with loud noises that may cause nervousness in their furry friends.

So, how can you help your cat or dog cope with fireworks and other loud noises this summer? Here’s what to know.

Why do pets get anxious during fireworks?

According to Purina, fireworks are loud, unpredictable, and threatening to dogs.

Humans expect fireworks on the Fourth of July and have a frame of reference for each firework in the sky; pets do not.

The sound of fireworks can often feel inescapable to dogs due to their exceptional hearing and not knowing why or when fireworks will go off. The noises fireworks produce may make your pet feel trapped and trigger their fight or flight response.

How can I help my pet when there are fireworks?

Dr. Angelica Dimock, a Minnesota shelter and emergency medicine veterinarian, shared with Snoozer Pet Products how to prepare your pets in case they are inflicted with anxiety before, during and after July Fourth.

  • Play the sounds of fireworks or thunderstorms to get them used to what they sound like. It helps desensitize the sound and allows your pet to familiarize itself with the noise. Gradually increase the volume over time. This works best if it is started months in advance.

  • Create a special room where the animal can hide and feel safe. The most soundproof room in the house or apartment is ideal. Put toys and other familiar things in the room. Pets hide in small, private areas when they're scared.

  • Use calming aids like a special shirt that hugs the pet or even natural supplements like CBD. Sometimes these products work and sometimes they don’t. Every pet is different.

  • Consult your veterinarian if anxiety issues are severe to see if pharmaceuticals may be needed to help your pet.

What if I am traveling with my pet this summer?

Traveling in the summer and want your pet to tag along? Here’s how to make the car ride fun for your real-life stuffed animal and how to give them a relaxed traveling experience.

  • It’s important to take your pet to different places when they travel in your car. If you only take your pet in the car when they go to the vet, they will believe they are on their way there. Show them that they can ride in the car and they won’t get prodded or poked.

  • Car motion can cause sickness in some pets, as they can face a variety of directions. Get them an antianxiety car seat, which can help them sit comfortably. Make sure the pet is securely attached to a seat belt.

  • Give your pet time at a rest area, just as you do for yourself. Allow plenty of bathroom breaks and stops at the beginning of the trip, especially if they love to explore. Each stop will get them excited to discover something new.

  • Got a food-motivated fur ball? Give them lots of treats!

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How to keep your pets calm, relaxed during July Fourth fireworks