3 Tips For A Happy 4th Of July…And A Happy Pet!
Fireworks… most of us love them. But for dogs, it’s a whole different story.
“Dogs commonly become anxious or fearful around loud and unpredictable noises – which would certainly include fireworks that take place on, and around, the 4th of July,” said Dr. Sarah Nold, staff veterinarian at Trupanion – a leader in medical insurance for pets.
In fact, Trupanion receives more anxiety-related claims (on average 45% more) in July than any other month of the year.
Dr. Nold suggests these three things to consider to help your pet during the 4th of July firework celebrations.
1) Make sure your dog has access to a familiar environment – whether you’re at home with them or not – where they will feel most secure. This could include:
– their kennel
– your bedroom
– a gated-off area where your dog spends a lot of their time
2) You can also leave the television or radio on, or just turn on a fan in the room to help sound-sensitive pets get through the evening.
3) Body wraps, pheromone diffusers and calming collars may help some dogs. In severely anxious dogs, anxiety medication could be necessary. Talk to your veterinarian to determine what treatment, or often combination of treatments, are best for your dog.
Additional tips to consider:
Beat the Heat: If your 4th of July plans involve being outdoors with your dog, make sure your pet has access to shade and plenty of water throughout the day. During the month of July in past years, Trupanion has paid out more than $16,000 in dehydration claims alone.
Barbecue Buster: Nothing says the 4th like firing up the grill, but avoid the temptation of feeding your dog table scraps which can cause a serious stomach ache. Beware of bones and corn-on-the-cob as well to avoid any unexpected trips to the veterinarian.
Keep identification on your pet at all times: Unfortunately, many pets get lost during the first week in July, especially on July 4. Even if you follow all of these tips, your stressed pet may find a way to get out of the house. Always keep an ID on your pet with updated information.
