How To Deal With Your Dog’s Anxiety About Fireworks?

Days like the fourth of July are like a nightmare for pet parents whose furry babies are afraid of the fireworks sound going off on such days. If you are worried about the signs of anxiety and fear that your dog would suffer from on such days, here are a few things you could try.

There are cities in the USA (United States of America) like Irvine, California where firework laws are strict. So, living in such an area should not pose much of a problem for your little one. The problem starts when you live or move to a city where arrangements are not there.

You have to be as proactive as you can be. Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks

1. Tag, GPS, and microchip

One of the biggest problems you would face when you have a dog who is afraid of fireworks is that they would look for ways to escape and may do so successfully when the fireworks start. Now, what would you do if your baby gets lost because others are having their fun?

How would you find them? This is where you understand the value of things like tags, GPS (global positioning system), and microchips. Make sure the collar of your dog fits them nicely. Moreover, it must be snug. In any case, microchips and tags are significant. They become even more important on days like the fourth of July.

These days, you get GPS-tracking devices for dogs. Still, such technology is not tested, and this is why it need not necessarily be the best way to get your baby home sound and safe on days as tumultuous as these.

2. Staying at home with your dogs

This is something you have to do for your loving pet. You need to know the days of festivities or events and the ones leading up to the same. It is especially true in the evenings when people are busy with fireworks and merriment.

Deciding to stay home can help ease the anxiety of your dog. It also lets you monitor if they are behaving unusually these days. Dogs tend to get so anxious that they can cause themselves severe harm trying to escape all the noise the world rains down.

Read Also: Is Your Dog Suffering From Anxiety?

3. Get them to work out

One of the best ways to deal with the menace is to make sure you give your dog a good workout before the madness ensues. It makes sure the dogs are so bummed that they go off to sleep when all the fireworks are going off in the neighborhood.

If your dog is tired, it is likely to behave better than it would have done otherwise. You can walk your dog or let them play in the yard for an hour or two before the festivities begin.

4. Getting specialized dog anxiety shirts

Getting these products for your baby could prove successful, even if it’s mildly so. These shirts can help reduce your dog’s anxiety on days such as these.

The effect might not be a lot, but if you have ever attended to a dog these days, you would know even that little bit can go a long way. Read the internet about products that ease the anxiety that your dog has.

5. Starting some white noise

It is a great way to reduce the effect that exploding fireworks can have on your dog and you, by extension, on days such as these. It can be the biggest saving grace during the firework season.

All you have to do is turn up the volume on the TV to its highest, and do the same with your fans and AC (air conditioning) units. This way, you would be able to drown out around 90% of the sound that comes from all the exploding fireworks around your home.

Read Also: 7 Tips To Help Your Dog Or Puppy Deal With Separation Anxiety

6. Giving your dogs a safe place

Crates are a safe place for dogs on days of loud events. Even on regular days, you would find your baby sleeping in their crate. During the firework season, they become even more important than they already are. However, a lot also depends on your dog.

They may think that the darkness of your closet or wardrobe is more comforting these days. So, you have to be prepared to give them that leeway on days such as these. Let them be at the place that they think is the safest.

7. Giving them medicines

Pet parents do not medicate their dogs on days such as these. However, in cases where your furball has severe anxiety, this could be the right way to go about it. Even the doctors would agree as much as well.

They may prescribe several medicines to help your dog deal with all the anxiety they tend to suffer from on days such as these. You would always get plenty of suggestions on the internet, but please do not administer them without talking to your vet.

Conclusion

There are several other tips that you can follow in this regard. For example, you can take them out for a bathroom break before they start bursting the crackers. You should know that using anti-anxiety medicine is the best step you can take.

Keep an eye on them because pets are known to break down doors and windows in desperation to escape the noise emanating on these days that frightens them. Your bathtub could be an ideal place to keep your dog – porcelain may have a calming effect in such times.