The 4th of July is the busiest day of the year for the Humane Society because of the number of pets that run away from home in fear of fireworks. July 3rd is the busiest day of the year for veterinarians as they provide anti-anxiety drugs to their pet patients.

Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe during the 4th's fireworks:

  • Make sure that your pet is wearing a snug collar with I.D. in case they escape.
  • Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise during the day.
  • Never bring your pet to a fireworks display!
  • Scared animals like a small, safe place to be. If your dog is comfortable in a crate- that's perfect, cover it with a blanket to make them feel even more secure.
  • Keep the windows and curtains closed.
  • Give them a bone or Kong toy filled with treats to give them something to focus on.
  • There are also some great products out there to help your pet with anxiety. The Original Anxiety Wrap was developed by a professional dog trainer and uses acupressure to reduce stress. It's a lot like swaddling your baby!  Thundershirt is a similar product that boasts an 80% success rate. It may take a wearing or two for them to be most effective, but I would try these products if my pet was suffering from extreme noise anxiety. They are available for cats too.

Skeptical? Check out this investigative report on Thundershirt:

You can create your own using a scarf, length of cloth or Ace Bandage:

Your vet can also provide anti-anxiety meds, that's up to you. This weekend I'm going to experiment with the Anti Anxiety Wrap hack.

Keep all of your family members safe and comfortable this weekend!

Celeste

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