(This story has been updated with additional photos.)
With July Fourth coming up and folks stocking up on fireworks, it’s a good time to think about pets, no matter how big and tough they look.
Goliath, a 95-pound German shepherd, did his part June 30 by demonstrating some of the benefits of a calming dog vest with the help of his owner, Volusia County Animal Services Director Angela Miedema.
“He’s essentially wearing a swaddle that you use for a baby, but for a dog, so it wraps around him, it makes him a lot cozier,” she said. “It goes over all the pressure points, so it makes him feel like he’s in a big hug.”
Miedema hosted a demonstration at the Animal Services Clinic at 1250 Indian Lake Road in Daytona Beach to share animal safety and comfort tips ahead of the Fourth of July.
Here are a few key things dog owners should keep in mind:
Before July Fourth, make sure pets are tagged and microchipped
July Fourth is Animal Services’ “Black Friday,” an extra busy time when many animals run away because they’re startled by the noises, so preparation is key, Miedema said.
Every dog should have a collar with a tag that lists its name and owner’s phone number.
“They might be at the fireworks, get spooked and back out of that collar, so make sure it’s tightened up,” she said.
Also, owners should get their pets microchipped. That will allow a pet to be identified if it loses its collar and gets out.
Also good to know: Every fire department in Volusia County can scan an animal for a microchip, Miedema said. Residents can also go to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter to have an animal scanned for a microchip.
Exercise your dog before the fireworks begin
Miedema recommends that owners exercise their dogs early and often on July 4th before the fireworks start, and try to get all the potty breaks over before the noise begins.
Once the fireworks start, put your dogs on a leash when going outside, even if the yard is fenced.
“A lot of dogs will dig under a fence if they’re unsupervised,” she said.
‘Thunder’ jackets, crates and essential oils are some other calming tools
Dogs may be more inclined to chew on things during fireworks, so putting them in a crate during a fireworks show can be a benefit.
Putting on a TV or radio to lessen the noise, giving them toys in their crate and covering it with a blanket could help.
Owners could also put dogs in a calming vest like a ThunderShirt or a similar type of gear. The vest Goliath wore during the demonstration plays lullabies and also has a pouch for essential oils, Miedema said.
It’s important to remember that essential oils should never be applied directly to a dog’s fur, Miedema said. Owners should instead put them in a diffuser or in a designated pouch like the one on Goliath’s vest.
A consultation with a veterinarian might be helpful
For pets that get extreme anxiety during fireworks, it might be good to talk with a veterinarian.
“You might actually need some medication support,” Miedema said. “It’s important to not give any human medication to your pet. It might not work well with them.”
There’s help for cats, too
One tool out there for cats is a FELIWAY diffuser, a wall plugin that makes the environment more calming.
What happens if your pet runs away in Volusia County?
If a pet does run away, owners are encouraged to check one of the shelters or rescues around the county.
As of Sunday, the Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach was not accepting new dogs because of a canine pneumovirus outbreak, according to the group’s Facebook page.
But the shelter offered tips for helping reunite stray dogs with their owners:
Upload a photo to PetcoLoveLost.org, a “free facial recognition tool (that) helps reunite lost pets with their families quickly — no shelter intake needed.”
Halifax Humane Society is also offering free food and basic supplies for those who are caring for strays.
For more information, visit halifaxhumanesociety.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Worried about your dog during the fireworks? Tips to keep your pet calm
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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