Red, white and blue will light up the night skies on July Fourth. Independence Day fireworks might be fun, enjoyable, and loud activity for you and your loved ones, but for your pets . . . not so much.
Your furry loved ones may become extremely anxious during Fourth of July festivities. The loud bangs, flashing colors and smells can cause them a lot of distress, resulting in behaviors like hiding, shaking and barking.
Here’s how to keep your pet safe in time for the Independence Day fireworks.
How do your pets react to Fourth of July Fireworks?
How to prepare your pets for Fourth of July fireworks
Prepping your pets for July Fourth fireworks displays starts well before it gets dark, USA TODAY writes. Give your dog some extra exercise before all the mayhem starts. This could be an extra-long walk or a few more rounds of fetch. Hopefully, they’ll be nice and tired by the time the fireworks start.
How to comfort your dog during fireworks
Create a safe space for your dog. This could be putting their bed in a quieter space in your home, like a closet or bathroom, with their favorite toys and treats. Some dogs may get more stressed if they are enclosed in a space, so consider leaving the door partly open so they can come and go if they need to.
If your pet prefers a crate, be sure to stock it with their favorite toys and treats.
During a fireworks display, you can take these steps to make it easier on your furry loved ones:
How to keep your pet safe on July Fourth
It’s just the Fourth of July. What’s the worst that could happen to your beloved pets?
Well, a lot can happen. Fireworks are loud and sometimes intimidating. This can cause your pets —cats, dogs and even horses — to get scared and run away, and the debris from the festivities can end up in your pet’s stomach, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Here are precautions you can take to keep your pets safe on July Fourth:
How to keep your pets out of harm’s way during your Fourth of July party
Planning to attend a celebration or have one at home? Here’s what you can do to keep your pet away from all the noise:
What to do for your pet after the July Fourth festivities are over
If you put your pet away during the fireworks, they might be excited to seize the next day when it’s all over. But there are still things to consider when the celebration is over:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Anxious pets on July Fourth? How bad is it? Take our poll, see tips for keeping pets safe
Reporting by Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
