Keeping Your Dogs Safe On The 4th Of July

The 4th of July… the dreaded 4th of July… oh, that’s not me saying, it’s my dog, James Bones.

Well, the 4th of July is coming up, and it’s coming up fast. While we’re still under quarantine, we don’t know what the situation will be like in July, and some people just might go ahead and get the fireworks going. While it might sound fun for humans, let’s understand, it’s not fun for our pets, and it’s not safe for the environment.

Fireworks emit approximately 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. So yes, that’s a big deal. But well, we’re not trying to police anyone, we’re just saying that dogs need our help to be able to get through the 4th of July fireworks.

Dogs usually howl, bark excessively and get extremely anxious during fireworks, and the worst part is that Independence Day is when the highest number of dogs run away… fleeing for their lives. Even when they’re loved and cared for in their families.

But what are dogs afraid of during fireworks? Judy Morgan, DVM states, “It can be the smell. It can be the noise and the flashes of the light.” Here are some ways to keep your dogs safe on the 4th of July.

1. Fireworks Show

The best thing to do is NOT to take your dogs to firework shows and during fireworks, keep them inside the house, not outside. It’s a good idea to not have your dogs out the entire 4th of July to prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety.

2. Proper IDs

Make sure that your dog has a proper collar and they are microchipped so if unfortunately, they were to run for their lives, they can be brought back home without wasting any time.

3. Safe Haven

Make sure that you provide your dog with the safest place in your house to make them feel comfortable during fireworks. As dog parents, it is our responsibility to make sure that we can help eliminate or reduce the stress our dogs may go through. A quiet place away from the windows, a closet, or the basement works great to help reduce the noise created by fireworks.

4. White Noise

I do this all the time when I feel there may be sounds that could stress James Bones out. White noise can help mask the sounds of the fireworks thereby helping to reduce the stress created by them.

How do you manage your dogs during the 4th of July celebrations? Let us know in the comments. Watch out for Part 2.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay