How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks

To dogs, consistent loud noises and bright, flashing lights can cause a lot of distress, making the 4th of July one of the most stressful times of year for your pet. If your four-legged companion is often scared of thunderstorms, it is important to prepare them for this time of year. Here are some tips to keep your dog low stress and comfy in their own home.

Get exercise.

Before your extravagant display, take your dog for a walk or make playtime a little longer. Doing so prior to sunset will keep your pup stress free and will help avoid the loud, invasive noises your dog dreads. This will wear them out before it all begins.

ID your dog.

It’s not uncommon for dogs to escape and bolt during fireworks out of fear. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, as they spend most of the day making phone calls and trying to reunite missing pets with their frantic owners. Make sure your dog has a properly fitting collar and ID tags with your contact info, just in case your pooch decides to take off. A dog with easily accessible contact info can make all the difference when it comes to stopping your dog from getting lost, as anyone who finds your dog may be able to quickly reunite you.

Stay inside.

To avoid the stress of losing your pup in all the craziness, keep your dog inside for firework displays. It is not a good idea to take them to any firework shows as they are more often than not going to feel uneasy and you could risk them running away.

Create a safe place.

Some dogs will feel comforted by having their own safe space to hide when frightening fireworks go off. Consider buying a crate. Add some cozy blankets and a few favorite toys to make a true comfort den for your nervous canine. Also, playing some type of white noise will create a barrier for the intense sounds of your celebration. Turn on the radio or tv to fill the room with comforting sounds and block out the chaos.

There are just a few tips to keeping your dog cool, calm, and collected this Independence Day. If you are looking to feed your dog with standards, feed them Hi-Standard. Click here to find the perfect product for your pooch!