Protect Your Pets From Fireworks

Summer is full of BBQs, outdoor concerts, and, unfortunately for many pets, fireworks. It’s because of this that so many pets get scared and run under, out, or over any door, window, or fence. They become lost and possibly end up in a shelter. However, with a little planning, you can protect your pets and keep them SAFE!

More pets get lost and end up in shelters on July 4th than any other time of year.

So, here are some key tips to help keep your pets safe:

Keep Pets Indoors

Whether you’re going out or staying in, keep pets in a safe, enclosed room, preferably one without windows. If you’re having guests, keep pets in a room that’s off-limits to them.

Create Calming Environment

Provide your pet with important essentials like plenty of food and water, as well as their favorite toys, bedding, and other comforting objects, like articles of your clothing. Minimize the sound coming in from outside by closing all doors, windows, and blinds/curtains.

Provide Ambient Noises

Turn on other sounds to help drown out the fireworks. Loud fan, music (with some bass) or a (disaster) movie, and the AC on are all a good start. You could even try putting a tennis ball with a few towels in your dryer.

Medications, Chews, and Oils

After researching the options, consider using CBD oil, calming chews, and talking to your vet about prescription anti-anxiety medications.

Thundershirt

The patented design of this vest applies a gentle – constant pressure that can have a dramatic calming effect for over 80% of dogs. Your dog should be desensitized to wearing it PRIOR to fireworks season.

Share With Your Guests

If you have guests, let them know in advance where your pets will be and that that room is off-limits. Put up applicable signs on all gates and doors reminding your guests not to enter or to close the gate or door behind them (get both sides!). It just takes one guest opening the wrong door for your pet to get out!

Precautions & First Aid

A) Keep Pets Away from Fireworks. Not all pets are frightened by fireworks. However, they can still get hurt by them. Avoid potential burns, injuries, or possible ingestion by keeping all pets out of the vicinity of fireworks, both while and after they are set off.

B) Microchip your Pet(s). Pets should be with microchipped, licensed, and always wear a collar with tags that include your current address & phone number.

Click HERE for more information on LA City Dog Licenses.
A microchip is an easy and cheap additional way to help reunite you with your pet if they do get out/lost. LA Animal Services offers microchips to the general public for just $25 per animal. Click HERE for more information on LAAS’ microchips.

C) Have a pet emergency kit. This should be on hand in your home and when traveling with your pet, like on vacation or to a friend’s house.

Skip The Parties, Stay At Home

Skip the parties and stay home with your pets. Stream a movie and hang out together in a closet or bathroom. Extra tip: Be present for them without reinforcing/coddling their fears.

Desensitize & Counter Condition

Play videos of fireworks at a low enough volume that your dog shows NO signs of stress. Praise and treat your dog. Over time, increase the volume, only so much that your dog remains relaxed and begins to think, ‘Yippee, that sound (and my calm behavior) means I get a reward!’

Even though you may take every precaution, accidents happen. If your pet becomes lost, hang posters, post on ‘Lost Pet’ forums, look at your local shelters, and bike and/or drive around your neighbor.

See my printable Protect Pets From Fireworks Guide -HERE-

Fireworks are fun..but not for your dog

Protect Pets from Fireworks