Fireworks Season!
I love summer, but it also brings the loud booms of fireworks! Here's how to prepare your dog for the 4th of July. We are a month away so start planning now for a less stressful holiday.
“According to Pet Amber Alert, more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of year, and noisy fireworks are to blame. In fact, the country sees a 30-60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th.”
See below for steps you can take to ease your dog’s anxiety attacks when the loud booms of the fireworks start. Talk to your veterinarian before adding in new supplements into your pet’s regimen.
Start with Supplements Early
We want to downregulate their nervous system in advance, so when they do panic during fireworks, their reaction is less intense. Pick only one or two of these supplements, talk to your vet before adding them in, and start soon to decrease their anxiety leading up the 4th of July.
Solliquin- Start giving this about 2-3 weeks in advance.
ElleVet CBD for general use, and ElleVet Calm and Comfort for day of use.
Calming Care Probiotics - This takes 6-8 weeks for full effect, but great for long term use.
Zylkene- Plan about 7-10 days prior to the 4th.
VetriScience Composure - These chews are great for the week leading up to stressful events.
Fera Pet Calming - Add this into your pet’s food about 3 weeks in advance.
Rescue Remedy Pet- Administer 5-7 days leading up to the Fireworks.
Home Adjustments
Safe Place - Give your dog a crate, room, or gated off area they feel safe in.
Have a noise machine or calming/classical music playing to help mitigate the firework booming. “Through A Dogs Ear” is a playlist curated for calming dogs.
Thunderworks shirt feels like a calming hug to some dogs.
Adaptil Spray to spray on bedding, blankets, or collars where your dog will be during fireworks.
Food Puzzle or other mental enrichment toy for distraction.
Diffuse Lavender or Frankincense Oil in your home for natural calming effects.
Safety Measures
Update their Microchip in case they get lost!
Have them leashed at all times when outside so you can keep ahold of them.
Secure their harness or collar on their body tightly so they don’t slip out if they panic.
Try a leash that can be secure around your waist like Found My Animal so the leash doesn’t slip out of your hands.
Medications From Your Vet
I’ve seen dogs harm themselves while panicking, run away from home, get hit by a car, or harmed in other ways because their anxiety was so pronounced during fireworks.
There are prescription medications that should be tried out BEFORE the 4th of July to make sure they work OK for your pet, such as trazodone and/or gabapentin.
One patient of mine a few years ago was a dog in his crate that chewed the wire and a pieces ended up piercing his mouth! He needed surgery to remove some wire along with sutures, and the following years the client used prescription medications to keep him safe during the 4th of July. Our goal is to keep our companions safe as best we can.
Talk to your veterinarian in the weeks before the 4th of July, since dogs may need to try different combinations and doses of prescription medications to keep them calm and safe.
