Offering Some General Advice On How To Best Manage Your Dogs During 4th Of July Fireworks
The 4th of July is nearly here! This monumental American holiday marks the founding of the United States of America and is thus widely celebrated across the country. One of the most common ways to celebrate the 4th of July is with fireworks. Fireworks are very pretty, mesmerizing, and loud. As much as we enjoy fireworks, they can be terrifying to our dogs. Dogs possess incredible hearing and can hear sounds over a mile away. This makes the sound of fireworks extremely alarming and painful to most dogs.
This article will discuss some of the best ways to manage and care for your dogs during fireworks. Here at Paws & Claws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, we value your pets safety and well being above all else. We created this article to help give you some general advice and tips on keeping your dog happy, healthy, and safe during firework season.
Create A Calming Atmosphere
During the 4th of July week, the sound of fireworks going off is very common regardless of where you live. Whether it’s a public demonstration or just your neighbors blowing stuff up, fireworks are inevitable. Therefore, the best thing you can do for your dogs is to keep them in a comfortable environment in the meantime. This section will cover some of the various ways you can make your dog’s living space more calming and relaxing during firework season.
Secluded Room Or Crate
Dogs typically react to the sound of fireworks in one of two ways. They either hide in fear or run away from the sound in fear. Running away out of fear is easily the worst of the two. More dogs go missing and/or run away from home during 4th of July week than any other time of the year. Because of this, we recommend keeping your dog indoors and in a secure location where they can’t escape or run away.
If they are crate trained, they may prefer staying in their crate as it is considered their “safe place.” Otherwise, try keeping them in a spare bedroom or finished basement. This way they have their own space and they won’t be able to run away. Make sure this spare room and/or space is doggy friendly and that there is nothing in there for them to potentially destroy out of stress (pillows, electronics, etc.).
Your Scent
Now that you have a designated area for your dog to be in during fireworks, it’s time to make it a more calming environment. We suggest placing some articles of clothing that you’ve recently worn in their room or cage. Your clothes carry your scent and your dog will feel more relaxed having your scent nearby. Make sure they are clothes you don’t care about too much as your dog may chew and/or pee on them out of stress.
Soft Music
If you have a soundproof room (such as a studio or recording room) now is the time to use it. Otherwise, we suggest utilizing some other forms of sound to help mask or drown out the sound of booming fireworks. Try playing soft calming music (like piano or smooth jazz) in your dog’s room/area to help distract them. There are lots of calming dog music playlists on Spotify and Youtube that might help your four legged friend feel more calm during fireworks.
Calming/Stress Relieving Products
Now that you have a more comfortable environment, it’s time to focus on some calm inducing products for your dog. Keep in mind that all dogs are different and not all of these products are guaranteed to work. However, each one of them have been known to work and are worth giving a shot. It may take some trial and error, but eventually you will find what works best for your furry friend.
Pheromone Diffuser
A very innovative pet product that can help keep your dog calm during fireworks is the pheromone diffuser. A pheromone diffuser is a small device, similar to an air freshener, that regularly dispenses dog or cat pheromones into the air. According to FureverFamilyVet.com, pheromones are naturally released chemical substances that trigger a social response in the same species. A pheromone diffuser will dispense calming pheromones in the air which will inform your dog that they are in a comfortable and safe place.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is known to have very calming effects on dogs when consumed. Contrary to popular belief, CBD oil will not get your dog high. It will however put them in a more relaxed mood. CBD oil comes in liquid form and also comes in dog treat form. Talk with your veterinarian first before giving your dog CBD oil or CBD treats.
Calming Toys & Collars
Speaking of pheromones, there are also dog toys and dog collars that emit calming pheromones as well. The concept is the same, except the pheromones are coming from their toys and/or collar. Many dog toys & collars also come with other calming smelling products such as lavender, chamomile, and cedar. These products can help make your dog feel more relaxed and comfortable. Be aware of any potential allergic reactions before using any form of aromatherapy on your dog.
Thundershirt
One of the most effective products for keeping your dog calm and relaxed is the Thundershirt. A Thundershirt is a dog anxiety vest that your dog wears over their body. The vest’s patented design applies gentle & consistent pressure to help calm all types of fear, anxiety, and over-excitement. The concept is similar to swaddling an infant and gives your dog the feeling of getting a big hug all the time.
