by Donna Hicks

Created on: July 04, 2011

Keeping your pet calm around fireworks is essential to the well-being of your pet, no matter what type of pet you have. The sounds, colors and explosions that you love can be nerve-wracking and upsetting to your pet. Following tips to keep your pet calm are essential to reducing fireworks-related anxiety in pets.

Reactions of pets to fireworks can be very disturbing

While people love the sounds, explosive colors and crowds during fireworks, pets do not have the same reaction. Whether a large community fireworks display or a neighbor setting off firecrackers or fireworks in his driveway, it can be a very traumatic experience for your pet.

According to Eliza Mazzaferro, MS, DVM, PhD, DACBECC, the director of emergency services at Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists in Colorado says that “pets get anxious and break out of kennels, jump through windows and get lacerations, and when loose, can get hit by cars.” She further explains that not only can dogs be injured when they jump in the air and swallow a firecracker, but they can suffer stomach injury caused just from the excitement and nervousness they suffer from fireworks. You may not realize the dangers that fireworks pose to your pet, but Dr. Mazzaferro has seen incidents where pets literally bite through their metal cages, causing damage to their teeth and gums, dogs have jumped through plate glass windows, run away and gotten hit by cars while trying to escape the noise.

It is imperative to recognize fireworks-related behavior in your pet

Many pets, particularly dogs, are afraid of loud noises such as thunder and may cower into the corner of their cage, kennel or area of the home where they feel safer and farthest away from the loud noise and lightening flashes. Fireworks can tremendously magnify the behavior that pets display during thunder and lightening. When pets hear or see fireworks they can get very fearful and display behaviors such as shaking, trembling, howling, barking, chewing on their cage, running around as if trying to get away, jumping, trying to hide, or other symptoms.

Protect your pet before and during fireworks

You may choose from a variety of options to avoid the symptoms associated with pet anxiety during fireworks. There are ways to get your pet accustomed to fireworks so they will not suffer the trauma and stress related to the sounds and visual display of fireworks.

The founder of the Animal Behavior Network, Ronald Tripp, DVM, offers suggestions to get your pet accustomed

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>