The Fourth of July should be a festive day in the U.S. It’s when people celebrate and have tons of fun. But sadly, it is also around the same time that more pets go missing. Sounds eerie? Well, there is no mystery behind these disappearances because the reason can be heard, loud and clear. What is the culprit? Fireworks of course!
Why are pets afraid of fireworks?
Explosion after explosion, you will find your pet zooming all over your house or whimpering in fear under your bed. Why are pets not thrilled to see beautiful firework displays?
Smithsonian Magazine explains that dogs' auditory senses are so sensitive, they can hear sounds four times further than the average human!Put yourself in your pet's shoes and imagine having this kind of supernatural ability—it is not only irritating, but extremely stressful as well.
Speaking of stress, a study published in ScienceDirect reveals that dogs' cortisol levels—their stress hormones—shoot up when listening to a recording of a thunderstorm, another loud acoustic stimulus. In the study, their stress levels were higher than those who listened to normal dogs' barks. So it is not only fireworks in general, but it could be any loud or booming noise.
What are the signs of stressed pets?
Here are the signs your fur baby is nervous or anxious due to fireworks:
- Trembling
- Panting
- Pacing
- Drooling
- Hiding
- Decrease in appetite
- Trying to escape
- Dilated pupils
- Potty accidents
- Barking
- Whining
The symptoms above may dampen your festive mood since you want your beloved pet to have a great time during this important day too, which brings us to the next important question.
How can you help your pets on July 4th?
Below, we've listed down some tips on how to keep your pup calm during Fourth of July festivities:
Let your dog stay indoors
Are you planning to bring your pet outside to celebrate the Fourth of July? Unfortunately, it would be best to leave them at home. Arrange a room to keep them safe and ensure that no harmful objects lie around because scared dogs tend to be destructive.
Create soothing background noise
As your pup stays indoors, turn on the TV, radio, or a white-noise machine to block or lessen the noisy ruckus outdoors, especially if the fireworks and the loud commotion are near your house. If this isn't enough, close your windows and draw the curtains for an extra sound-proofing layer.
Check how secure your yard is
You will surely get busy on and before the patriotic holiday. As a consequence, you may forget to leave your dog indoors. Make sure the perimeter of your yard doesn't have holes or openings. Your pet may use these as "escape routes" to flee somewhere once the panic sets in due to the fireworks.
Tire your pet out by working out
If you still have time before the day of the Fourth, exercise your fur baby by taking them for a walk or playing with them inside your yard. By doing this, they will be worn out before the firework displays start, and they might even sleep through the night of the celebration.
Distract your dog with treats
Dogs sometimes associate treats with a positive experience; it signifies that they have been a "good dog." But this time, reward them with treats for being a "brave pup" any time a firework sets off. Praise them for being calm despite all the ruckus that is ongoing inside and outside your house. You may even level it up by using an interactive toy that dispenses food.
Update your pet's tag
Even though they will only stay indoors, you should put a collar and I.D. tag around their neck. Ensure that your contact details indicated in the tag are up-to-date. Better yet, microchip your furry companion because dog tags may slip off of their neck if they run around because of panic.
As much as you want to enjoy the festivities with your furry friends, the safety and security of your pets must be your top priority. Suppose you want a hassle-free Fourth of July celebration. In that case, we can recommend you an alternative pet who isn't scared of fireworks.
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With Perfect Petzzz, forget all the tips we mentioned above and enjoy the patriotic holiday with your family and friends 100% stress-free! You can leave them inside your house 24/7. There's no need for any distractions or supervision. You don't even have to microchip them!
These are the advantages of having an alternative furry companion. But the most important benefit is that you will never experience the heartbreak of a missing pet.
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