With the Fourth of July just around the corner, pet owners are advised to consider the well-being of their furry companions during the fireworks festivities, which can be especially distressful for animals like dogs. WBALTV reminds pet parents that dogs can suffer needless anxiety, recommending that during the shows, distractions such as engaging toys or background sounds from the TV or music can help mitigate their stress levels, and indoor havens with closed doors, windows, and drawn curtains should be arranged to shield them from the loud noises characteristic of the celebrations.
Moreover, planning your dog's walks before nightfall can prevent anxiety from escalating when fireworks begin, and owners should refrain from sharing human anxiety medication but instead consult their vet about pet-safe options, yet the challenges do not end there. July 5 sees a sudden hike in lost pets at animal shelters - with WMAR reporting increases by 30% to 50% due to pets, disoriented and scared by the booming pyrotechnics, fleeing in a panic.
Creating a sanctuary within the home, says Samantha Shelton, CEO and founder of Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters in an interview with Scripps News, is crucial - blanketed safe spaces buffered by the hum of a television set or soothing music can provide a sense of security for pets. She also highlighted the importance of updating microchip information, noting, "If you've changed your phone number, if you've moved, be sure to update that microchip company," and emphasized the value of investing in microchips, "For less than $50, you can have your pet microchipped at most vet clinics, and it is the most effective way to reunite lost pets with their families. So please take that important step,” she said, as reported by WMAR.
For canines grappling with severe anxiety, anti-anxiety medication like trazodone may be recommended by veterinarians, an approach that offers a pharmaceutical salve to the emotional tumult these domestic creatures might face during such loud celebrations, and in the event of the unthinkable - pets escaping the safety of home - a national pet database called Petco Love Lost stands as a beacon of hope, where frantic owners can upload a lost pet's photo and pertinent information to aid in the search for their missing animal companions.
