Keeping Your Pet Safe During Fireworks

Fireworks upset pets as a result of the noise, smell of sulfur, and flashing lights. The article below offers ten steps to ensure your pet stays safe and happy during the holidays.

1. Know when fireworks will be happening and how they'll impact your home. Check that your pets' ID tags and microchips are in date. If your pet does go running off during fireworks events, it's much easier to be able to identify its ownership with these features.

2. Desentisation of noises helps to prevent a phobia of loud noises, use a cd like Sounds Scary, well before the firework season, or after the event.

3. Prepare the house. Keep some lights on. Keeping a light on will calm your pet and make him feel more secure, rather than being scared in a dark room. Dampen the noise. Close the curtains in the room and, if your animal is a caged one, cover up the cage in a thick blanket, but make sure it is breathable so your animal doesn't suffocate. This will also help to stop the flashes of light affecting your pet. Plan to use familiar sounds to drown out the noise of the fireworks. Music from a stereo or turning on the TV are likely familiar sounds that can sooth your pet.

4. Prepare the room. Select a suitable room where you will contain the pets for the duration of the fireworks. An inner room that is least impacted by the noise is ideal.
-Make the room cozy.
-Ensure that the room temperature is pleasant
-Consider whether sound might be soothing. If your pet is used to music, turn some on at normal volume.
-Remove any sharp items from the room in case your pet starts jumping or running around.

5. Prepare yourself. In the desire to ease our pet's pain, sometimes we can transfer some of our anxiety and upset to the pet. If you've prepared properly in advance, there is no need to feel upset and worried as you can be reassured about the safety of your pet.

6. Confine your pet. Half an hour to an hour before the fireworks are due to be set off, place your pet into the chosen room.

7. Provide food and hydration. Be sure to leave sufficient water and food for your pet in the confinement space. Many pets will be uneasy, or even frantic. If your pet has access to water, it will help calm him, and food supplied in your pet's regular portion will make him feel like it's a normal day.

8. Keep an eye on your pet, and if possible, stay with her. Comfort her and talk to her. Be friendly but don't fuss over her too much; this can increase her anxiety if she picks up on yours and can reward and encourage fearful behavior.

9. Check on your pet after the fireworks. Reassure him and remove the protection (blankets, etc.) as long as you're sure that the loud fireworks are over. Check for signs of stress in your pet:
-For cats, signs of stress include running away, soiling the house, hiding away and refusing to eat.
-For dogs, signs of stress include barking a lot, running away, soiling the house, hiding and cowering, clinging to owners, whimpering, trembling and shaking, pacing and panting, and refusing to eat.
-If your pet is stressed, keep him indoors overnight. Keep a litter tray somewhere in the house, or walk a dog after the fireworks but don't let him off his harness and be sure to stay with him the whole time.

10. Do a yard sweep before letting your pets back outside. Collect any sparklers, firecrackers, etc., as well as party items and broken objects. This will prevent your pet from being injured by unfamiliar objects.

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