6 Tips for Surviving Fireworks (or Thunderstorms) with Pets
The Fourth of July is often filled with barbecues, time spent with family and friends, and extravagant firework displays. For many, this is an exciting and celebratory occasion. For pet owners, this day can bring with it a mild sense of dread. In fact, VCA Animal Hospitals estimate nearly one-third of all dogs are affected by noise aversion.
My dog, Luke, has struggled with anxiety throughout most of his life. His worst anxious episodes are usually triggered by loud and unexpected noises, and drastic changes in our daily schedule. I’m sure you can guess why the Fourth of July isn’t his favorite day.
I’ve lived and learned a lot while navigating life with an anxious dog. We’ve found some tricks to make this holiday a whole lot stressful and hope they can be helpful for you, too.
So, without further ado, here are my top six tips for surviving fireworks (or thunderstorms) with a noise-sensitive dog.
1. Plan Ahead
If your dog struggles with noise sensitivity, work with your vet and/or a certified and credentialed trainer to develop a plan in advance. Be sure to leave enough time to request any prescriptions your pet needs, and enough time to have them filled at a local (or online) pharmacy.
Some other items I like to keep on hand for extra-stressful situations include:
Calming Chews (I like the VetriScience Calm & Confident chews)
ThunderEase Calming Collar or Calming Spray
Enrichment toys and activities
You can shop for these items, and more, via my Amazon Storefront*.
*I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases made using the links above and below, at no extra cost to you.
What About CBD Oil?
Anecdotally, some pet owners have seen great success using cannabidiol (CBD)* products for their pets. But CBD usage comes with several risks. Production of CBD products is still unregulated. Research surrounding the usage of CBD in humans and pets – although growing – is still limited. There are also some concerns regarding CBD’s interactions with certain medications.
I have personally tried CBD oil and CBD treats with my pets but found no noticeable effects, good or bad. Not to mention, CBD products can be very expensive! For this reason, and others listed above, my recommendation is to save your money and skip the CBD this year.
*Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your pet any new supplements.
2. Safety First
Your first priority with an anxious dog should be to make sure everyone is safe at all times.
If your pet has a microchip, verify it scans correctly and your registration is up-to-date. You can confirm this with your vet at your pet’s yearly examination. You will also want to make sure your dog’s tags are updated with current contact information and that your yard is secure. If you don’t have a fenced yard, always remember to take your dog out on a leash when there is a chance of fireworks.
More pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year; some organizations estimate this number is as high as 1 in 5 pets. But accidents do happen. If someone else is watching your pet, make sure they have an emergency contact who will be available, as well as the number of your local 24-hour veterinary practice.
Once your initial safety housekeeping is taken care of, prepare a quiet and comfortable place for your pet to go when the noise begins. This “safe space” can be a crate, a quiet room like a bathroom, or a small space such as a closet or under a desk. Ultimately, your pet will decide where they feel the most comfortable. Preparing a space ahead of time is especially important if you’re traveling or spending time away from your own home.
3. Get Outside Early
Luckily, most fireworks don’t start until dusk. Exercise your pup in the morning or early afternoon so they’re tired and ready to relax in the evening.
Plan a bathroom trip just before it gets dark in case your pet wants to stay inside once the fireworks start. If you know your pet can’t make it from dinnertime to breakfast without a bathroom break, consider setting an alarm in the middle of the night or early in the morning, once the noise has stopped.
4. Turn Up the Noise
Get creative with ways to drown out the fireworks or thunder. Shut windows and doors to minimize noise (and, the chance for a grand escape). You can drown out the “booms” with fans, air conditioning units, air purifiers, white noise machines, TV, or the radio. Some dogs may even enjoy listening to music curated specifically for pets.
I usually find success for my dogs with various combinations of these things!
5. Stay Busy
Give your pup something to do to keep them distracted. Providing your pup with a long-lasting chew, frozen treat, food puzzle, or interactive toy can keep their mind occupied on something other than the scary noise.
Don’t be afraid to comfort your dog in these situations. There is NO evidence to suggest that you can reinforce fear in your pet, because fear is an emotion; not a behavior. So go ahead and snuggle up on the couch, if that’s what your pup wants!
6. Go Easy on Yourself
No matter what your friends, family, or strangers on the internet say, YOU are not the reason your dog is afraid. Fear of fireworks and thunder is very common in pets, and is caused by a number of factors: genetics, early socialization, and so much more.
Fourth of July fireworks and major storms can be stressful for more than just pet owners. Don’t forget to have a plan to keep yourself calm and comfortable, just like your dog. Luckily, these noisy days don’t last forever!
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