How to Calm Your Dog During Fireworks: Getting Ready for July 4th

It's a tough time of the year for dog owners again. When many enjoy the loud sights and sounds of fireworks, your pet may be suffering from stress. The dogs begin to panic and howl in fear and confusion. How to keep your pet safe from Independence Day fireworks stress USA Today.

Photo: IStock

But fireworks shouldn't end July 4th for you or your dog, says Andrea Tu, MD, medical director of Behavior Vets of NYC. She talked about the best ways to calm your dog during fireworks. Moreover, these methods also work during a severe thunderstorm.

Why are dogs afraid of fireworks?

Dogs' potential fear of fireworks is largely related to sound: their ears are much more sensitive than humans, so firework explosions are painful for them. In addition, dogs cannot understand why and how this rumble is repeated at random intervals.

“Fireworks and thunderstorms are panic,” explains Tu. — Loud bangs and sudden flashes of light cannot be explained to dogs. In my opinion, this is what upsets them so much.”

On the subject: How long do different breeds of dogs live, and how to extend their life

Some dogs can be diagnosed with noise phobia, noise sensitivity and generalized anxiety disorder, so they are more sensitive to fireworks than other animals, Tu says. Scientists have proven that all dog breeds are equally susceptible to stress. But a 2015 study found that Norwegian Buhunds, Wheaten Terriers, and Lagotto Romagnolos have noise hypersensitivity. Therefore, they react worse to fireworks.

However, anxiety in dogs may have a genetic link. So if you know that your dog's parents also suffer from loud noises, then your pet may be suffering too. According to the American Kennel Club, older dogs are more likely to become nervous.

Another factor that increases dogs' fear of fireworks is that they simply haven't experienced anything like it. Let's say you recently adopted a puppy or adult dog who is new to a house full of street noise, and fireworks on July 4th don't do much to help her deal with stress.

“Socialization is a big factor,” explains Tu. “Dogs are uniquely sensitive to sound because they have never been exposed to these decibel levels.”

How do dogs show fear?

Dogs have many ways to show that they are afraid, but the first signals are easy to miss. As Tu says, “Humans are basically evolved apes and dogs are basically evolved wolves, and we speak different languages.”

At first, dogs may yawn, lick their nose, blink more often, or hide from the commotion. As fear intensifies, they will crawl away with their ears pressed back and stand in a crouched position with their tail between their legs. Finally comes what Too calls the "red zone" of fear: dogs tense up, stare, growl and sometimes even bite.

Look at your dog's face - while her body language may not convey anxiety, some expressions on her face may indicate excitement. Tu says: “The eyes narrow, the brows frown, the lips become thin, and the corners of the mouth curl a little.”

How to help your dog during fireworks

One method is quite simple: do not expose your pet to fireworks in the first place, as well as the crowds, noise, and smells that come with them. How to do it? Take your pet to a place you know will be quieter. If your dog can't sit in a car, buy him a pet carrier.

But this, of course, is sometimes easier said than done. It is very difficult sometimes to find a place without fireworks if you do not have a house away from the metropolis. It is better for your dog to deal with fireworks in a place that is comfortable for him, and not in a new environment. Make a "sound bunker" for your dog and take a look at some soothing accessories you might find helpful.

The ideal dog bin is a room in your home that is as far away from the hustle and bustle as possible, such as a basement, a laundry room, or a bathroom with blackout curtains. In addition to carpeting, pillows and blankets in front of windows can act as a good buffer against noise.

Tu recommends, among other things, adding a white noise machine such as Sound + Sleep from Adaptive Sound or purchasing Through a Dog's Ears, a collection of classical music tuned to a pitch and speed that calms dogs. If you don't have the space or time to create a full bunker, it's best to place your dog in a room with fewer windows and as far away from sounds as possible.

It may be worth trying other sedatives. Some pets benefit from the ThunderShirt, a vest that puts gentle pressure on the dog's chest to reduce anxiety. Many dog ​​owners, Tu says, have had success with behavioral supplements such as Solliquin, Zylkene, or probiotics with calming properties, such as Calming Care or Progility Calming. Adaptil, an aerosol pheromone that can be attached to a diffuser on a collar or plugged into an outlet, can also calm an animal.

When to Call the Veterinarian

If your home remedies are not effective, take your dog to the vet to discuss fear reduction options and possibly anxiety medication. Ideally, as soon as possible.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

“Medication should be used before the dog sees fireworks for the first time,” Tu advises. She recommends visiting the veterinarian at least two weeks before an event that you think your dog might need medication for.

As with humans, a drug that relieves anxiety in one patient may not work as well or even adversely affect another.

“It takes about a week to test a drug, and if it doesn’t work, you have another week to test another drug,” Tu explained.

If your dog goes into extreme panic on the 4th, the veterinarian can administer injectable anxiety medications that work faster than oral ones, that is, if you can find a clinic open during the holidays. So if your pet is really panicking, your best bet is to get him away from the noise, set up a cozy sound shelter, and make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible to plan how to prevent it from happening again.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Visa sponsorship: how to get a US visa with the help of a guarantor

What you need to know about skiplagging - a semi-legal life hack that will help you save on plane tickets

Fraudsters steal money and personal data pretending to be employers: how to recognize fraud

How to Brew the Perfect Coffee: 12 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Drink

What day is better to go to the store to save a lot of money

On vacation on a trailer: how to choose and rent a motorhome in America

Employee Tip: 12 Things to Buy from Trader Joe's

How did 10 most popular English idioms

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.