Unless your Fourth of July plans involve hanging out with intimate friends with a fenced-in backyard, leaving your pets at home will be less stressful for them and you. Dogs who fear loud sounds, especially those with a phobia of thunderstorms, should stay put.
Melatonin is the best calming natural supplement for dogs, and you can find it at any health food store. Give your dog from 1 to 4 mg, depending on bodyweight, and try to give it a little ahead of the fireworks, if possible.
1. Never take dogs to fireworks displays or leave them outside alone during fireworks. Instead, keep them (as well as cats) indoors, and if possible, stay home with them.
At least one-third of dogs suffer from noise aversion, a fear and anxiety exhibited upon hearing loud noises (including fireworks) that leads to stress, suffering and potentially-destructive behavior. Other terms used to describe this response to noise include noise anxiety or noise phobia.
Not only can pets be overstimulated by crowds, he says, but fireworks can cause damage to their sensitive ears and cause fear. "For the repetitive loud bangs — if that's making your ears ring or hurts your ears, it's definitely going to hurt your pet's ears," he says.
Cuddling a fearful dog reduces their stress, but in doing so teaches him or her that coming to their owner is a good strategy to cope with loud noises. In other words, giving attention doesn't reinforce the fear, but does reinforce the coping strategy of seeking attention.
The noise and unpredictability of fireworks lead many dogs to perceive them as a threat. This triggers their fight-or-flight response. Your dog may bark at the noises or try to run away and hide. They may also show other signs of anxiety too, like restlessness, panting, pacing or whining.
“You absolutely can and should comfort your dog if he's afraid,” says Stanley. “The key here is in how you do so. It's important to remain calm and use a soothing, even tone. Petting them can be comforting — long, slow, firm strokes along the length of their body are typically very soothing.”
Diazepam is better than a sedative because it blocks memory, so the dog cannot remember being frightened – this means that your dog's fear will not get any worse.
We recommend using their favourite toys, treats, blankets and cushions to make them feel comfortable. Putting the hideaway in a room that they regularly use is best and it's worth getting it ready a few days ahead of Bonfire Night to let them get used to it.
Signs that your dog is scared of fireworks can include shaking, pacing up and down or panting heavily. They may also bark more than normal, tremble, hide or drool. Other signs of distress include destructiveness and soiling unexpectedly.
Don't touch a dog who is sleeping or eating, or chewing a toy. Stay away from a dog who is barking or growling, as well as one who is running loose without a guardian, behind a fence, in a vehicle, or tied up.
And while some aren't affected in the slightest, around 45% of dogs have a firework phobia, something that is becoming an increasingly serious welfare concern. However, with the right training you can help your dog to become more confident during firework season.
This is a very real adrenaline rush, causing their blood pressure and heart rate to rise. Some pets can panic and cause injury to themselves while trying to escape, some may run away, and some may react with aggression. It's best to leave any animals out of the fireworks celebration.
Can Dogs Get PTSD From Fireworks? Thunder and fireworks are some of the most common causes of fear that lead to trauma, anxiety … and PTSD. Not only is it the loud sound, but the sudden nature can cause fear and stress in your dog.
Dog massages, snuggles and a good brushing can help distract a dog from its triggers and make it easier for them to feel safe and at ease. Mentally stimulating toys can provide a distraction for pets experiencing anxiety, hyperactivity and boredom.
Leaving your dog at home alone whilst there are fireworks will only increase their anxiety. Try to behave normally because if you are calm and happy, this will send positive signals to your dog. It is vital to remember that it is only natural for a dog to be scared of unfamiliar loud sounds and sights.
It's never a good idea to take your dog to a fireworks display, and indoor fireworks aren't dog-friendly either. Even if they don't whimper at the noise, it doesn't mean they are happy. Panting and yawning are both signs that indicate your dog is stressed.
Should you play soothing music for your dog during fireworks and thunderstorms? These noises can be stressful for many dogs, so playing a favorite tune can help distract them from the noises outside and keep them calm. Music can help mask the sound of fireworks or thunderstorms.
The lead up to any celebration with fireworks, such as New Years Eve, Diwali and particular Bonfire Night, can be a very traumatic time for many dogs. The loud bangs and flashes created by fireworks can often be very frightening for them, making them stressed and unpredictable, potentially putting their safety at risk.
Use music or white noise: Consider playing music or white nose for your dog to drown out the booming noise outside. Try dog headphones for fireworks: Noise cancelling headphones for dogs can help protect your dog's hearing and reduce anxiety.
Noise reduction: Close the curtains, close the doors and drown out the noise with the radio – classical music and reggae have been proven to help animals to relax. All of these will help drown out the sound of those fireworks making them more bearable.
Time until recovery
The owners of 11.9% of the fearful dogs reported that their dogs behaved normally immediately after firework exposure, with 21.6% taking up to half an hour to recover and 17.5% taking up to an hour. Recovery took up to three hours in 10.3% and up until the next morning in 12.6%.