fourth of july: June 2010 Archives

So here we are again. The Fourth of July. A terrific holiday. But one that brings much angst to dog and cat owners.

I live in a neighborhood where illegal fireworks are a problem every year, with no shortage of participants on my street. I remember driving home at dusk one year with the dogs only to find residents had actually pulled lawn chairs out into the street on my block as people set off fireworks in the middle of the road. I had to drive around the block just to access my driveway.

Tess is usually ok with the noise, but Cowboy becomes very anxious. I put a request in to my vet today to see if there's anything he could prescribe to help keep Cowboy calmer.

And what about cats? I just got my first cat in October and have no idea what to expect with her. What do you do to keep your pets calm on the Fourth? Many dogs don't react, but those that do have a really hard time with all the commotion. (I still remember how our German shepherd Queenie who would literally cower in a closet when she heard fireworks.)

Meanwhile, here are some tips from the spcaLA:

• Dogs and cats should be microchipped and wear current I.D. tags at all times.  This is the best way to ensure a happy reunion if your pet goes missing.
• Keep pets safe and secure inside your home.  Loud noises from fireworks can cause a dog to jump a fence and run away from home or a cat to hide for days.  Keeping your pet indoors and secure will also keep them from dangerous roadways.     
• If you're hosting a party, keep your pets in a cool, well-ventilated room with a radio playing softly in the background.  Include your pet's favorite toys and pet bed for comfort.  Do this as well if you are going out but your pet is staying in.
• Do not tie your dog up outside to keep him/her from escaping.  The loud noise from the fireworks can frighten your pet making them more likely to attempt to flee.  Dogs can seriously injure themselves, or even die, trying to escape.
• Educate children to not scare pets with firecrackers or sparklers.

Music apparently helps and a website called Through a Dog's Ear includes some CDs you can buy but also some free downloads.

Here are some more tips.

(My dogs normally don't sleep on the bed with me. But the other night when we had some early neighborhood fireworks going off, both of them jumped up for consolation. I had Tess on the right side of me, Cowboy on the left, Annie the cat at the foot of the bed. I could not move.) 

So tell us: How do your pets fare with fireworks? Any special tips you can share with readers?