Every year, our dogs, cats, and pet birds, along with millions of other animals are frightened by our 4th of July celebrations. We enjoy beautiful sparkly lights and sounds. They hear the end of the world. We delight in festivities, while they…pee on the floor in terror.
Kadeth’s dog tries to fit under the bed. This isn’t really a huge problem, except that his dog is a 125 pound shepherd, and his bed is only 6 inches off the ground, so fitting under it is not really possible.
So although this may be an amusing image, the reality isn’t. Both Dr. Eve and Kadeth have worked in the veterinary emergency room on the 4th of July. You’d be amazed how many dogs and cats run away, jump through windows, get hit by cars, run their paw pads off trying to get away, and how many cats get into places in the house you didn’t know existed.
Here are some tips we’d like to share with you to keep your pets as comfortable as possible. Some are simple, and some need a phone call to your veterinarian.
- Think about staying home with your critters. Watch a movie, relax, and be their comfort.
- Give them exercise through out the day, in advance, to tire them out a bit. Keep them busy with Kongs and food toys the night of the 4th.
- Don’t punish your pet for being scared of the fireworks. If you stay calm, they will pick up on your energy, and follow suit.
- Make sure your pet is wearing it’s ID tag and/or has a microchip in case they get scared and try to run away.
- For very noise sensitive animals, placing cotton balls in their ears can help. It dampens the sound and the impact of the sound. Remember to take the cotton balls out afterwards. Put a note on your refrigerator or set an alarm on your phone.
- We can also use percussive and rhythmic music to block out the sound of the fireworks.
- Here is a playlist of music for dogs to listen to on the 4th:
https://open.spotify.com/user/evejuliah/playlist/3giPIOg6fU0TGf8RN79yB9?si=RZOUcnxgQyKNnK2M-KdX7Q - Dr. Eve made this play list for dogs and their humans. It includes songs with qualities that studies have shown dogs to enjoy in music, as well as songs that have percussive qualities to drown out the sound of the fireworks (rhythmic music, Reggae, Rock music etc). Dr. Eve sometimes listens to this playlist on road trips just because it’s a good play list… and who doesn’t like Bob Marley??
- For calming music for cats, you may try: https://www.musicforcats.com/
- Here is a playlist of music for dogs to listen to on the 4th:
- Pull the drapes, shut the doors, and close the windows. We are making a sound barrier, and every little bit helps.
- Drape couches and beds with sheets or blankets to make “caves” for cats. Feed them early, put beds under the couch or your bed, and make it easy for them to feel safer. Keep them indoors please, and be aware of window screens. A panicked cat can tear right through a window screen.If you have pet birds in cages, cover them early. Putting them to bed reduces the chance they will panic and injure themselves.
- Some pets require mild sedatives. The best plan is to call your veterinarian, and ask what they recommend for your individual pet. Some herbals may be helpful. Sometimes over-the-counter Benedryl is sufficient. Some pets require stronger prescription sedative medications for the fireworks. Test any sedation out a day or so before the 4th, as every animal may have a unique response to sedatives.
- Try adding a small meal of cooked turkey to your pet’s food before fireworks time. The L-tryptophan (an amino acid) in turkey can be mildly sedating. If your pet has an allergy to turkey or has never had it before, now may not be the time to try it for the first time. Please talk to your veterinarian first.
- Try a Thunder Shirt or a heart-swaddling wrap with a scarf, sheet, or ace bandage. This video gives more information on how to tie a body wrap for a dog: https://youtu.be/k5hknVMs1Mo. Compression and properly applied body wraps can provide a sense of safety and comfort. If you tie a body wrap onto your dog, please make sure it is not too tight. Pets should always be supervised if a wrap is placed on them.
Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you keep your companion happy and healthy!
Happy holidays and be safe,
Dr. Eve Harrison & Kadeth Pozzesi, MA, MFTA
info@marigoldveterinary.com