The 4th of July is a holiday filled with barbecues, time spent with family and friends, and extravagant fireworks displays. For many, this is an exciting and celebratory occasion. But for pet owners, this day can often bring with it a mild sense of dread.
My dog Luke has struggled with anxiety throughout most of his life. His worst anxious episodes are usually triggered by loud and unexpected noises, and drastic changes in our daily schedule. I’m sure you can guess why the 4th isn’t his favorite day.
Noise from fireworks can be upsetting for wildlife, children, some adults, and many pets. In fact, VCA Animal Hospitals estimate nearly one-third of all dogs are affected by noise aversion.
I’ve lived and learned a lot while navigating life with my anxious dog. We’ve found some tricks to make this holiday a whole lot stressful and hope they can be helpful for you.
So, without further ado: here are my top six tips for surviving 4th of July fireworks with an anxious pet.
1. Plan Ahead
If your dog struggles with noise sensitivity, work with your vet and/or a certified and credentialed trainer to develop a plan in advance.
Be sure to budget enough time to get any prescriptions your pet needs, and enough time to have them filled at your local (or online) pharmacy.
Some other items we like to keep on hand for stressful situations include:
- Calming Chews (we like the VetriScience ComposureTM chews)
- ADAPTIL Calm On-the-go Collar or Calming Spray
- ThunderShirt®
You can shop for these items, and more, via my Amazon Storefront.
I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases made using the previous link, at no extra cost to you.
What About CBD Oil?
Anecdotally, some pet owners have seen great success with cannabidiol (CBD)* for their pets. But CBD usage comes with several risks.
Production of CBD products is currently highly unregulated. Research surrounding the usage of CBD in humans and pets – although growing – is still fairly limited. There are also some concerns regarding CBD’s interactions with certain medications.
I have personally tried CBD oil and CBD treats with my pets but found no noticeable effects – good or bad. And CBD products can be very expensive. For this reason, and others listed above, my recommendation is to save your money and skip the CBD this year.
*Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your pet any new supplements.
2. Safety First
Your first priority with an anxious dog is making sure that they are safe at all times.
If your pet has a microchip, verify it scans correctly and your registration is up-to-date. You can confirm this with your vet at your pet’s yearly examination. You will also want to make sure your dog’s tags are updated with current contact information and that your yard is secure. If you don’t have a fenced yard, always remember to take your dog out on a leash when there is a chance of fireworks.
More pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. Some organizations estimate this number is as high as 1 in 5 pets.
Accidents do happen. If someone else is watching your pet, make sure they have an emergency contact who will be available, as well as the number of your local 24-hour veterinary practice.
Once your initial safety housekeeping is taken care of, prepare a quiet and comfortable place for your pet to go when the noise begins. This is especially important if you’re traveling or spending time away from your home.
The “safe space” can be a crate, a quiet room like a bathroom, or a small space such as a closet or under a desk. Ultimately, your pet will decide where they feel the most comfortable.
3. Get Out Early
Luckily, most fireworks don’t start until the day approaches dusk. Exercise your pup in the morning or early afternoon so they’re tired and ready to relax during the evening.
Plan a bathroom trip just before it gets dark in case your pet wants to stay inside once the fireworks (or thunder booms) start. If you know your pet can’t make it from dinnertime to breakfast without a bathroom break, consider setting an alarm in the middle of the night or early in the morning, once the noise has stopped.
4. Turn Up the Noise
Get creative with ways to drown out the fireworks or thunder.
Shut windows and doors to minimize noise (and, the chance for a grand escape). You can drown out the “booms” with fans, air conditioning units, air purifiers, white noise machines, TV, or the radio. I usually find success for my dogs with various combinations of these.
Some dogs may even enjoy listening to music curated specifically for pets.
5. Stay Busy
Give your pup something to do to keep them distracted. Providing your pup with a long-lasting chew, frozen treat, food puzzle, or interactive toy can keep their mind occupied on something other than the scary noise.
Don’t be afraid to comfort your dog in these situations. There is NO evidence to suggest that you can reinforce fear in your pet because fear is an emotion, not a behavior. So go ahead and snuggle up on the couch (but only if your pup wants to)!
6. Go Easy on Yourself
No matter what your friends, family, or (bad) advice the internet says, YOU are not the reason your dog is afraid. Fear of fireworks and thunder is very common in pets, and is caused by a number of factors: genetics, early socialization, and so much more.
The 4th of July and major storms can be stressful for more than just pet owners. But don’t forget, it won’t last forever! Have a plan to keep yourself calm and comfortable, too.
The Northern Michigan Mutts 
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