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Protecting Your Pets During
Firework Festivities
Safe family fun on the Fourth of July means remembering the safety
of pets, too, especially when it comes to noisy fireworks displays.
Pet owners should take extra precautions with their animals
Wednesday night, since the sounds of Fourth of July fireworks
displays could frighten pets and cause them to run away.
Even if the fireworks display is several miles away, the sound can
terrify family pets, especially if they feel that they don't have
safe places to hide. Extra care should also be taken to assure that
there are no gaps in fences, and no open doors for pets to escape
through.
Be aware of your state's firework laws, as some states will allow
fireworks for a week or more after the Fourth of July, extending the
period of time that pets are in danger. Other states, such as Utah,
have secondary holiday's during late July which allow for further
legal firework displays.
Here are some basic tips you can use to protect your pets this
month:
1.
Make sure that your pets have a safe place to hide.
2. Even if your pets are not acting nervous in your presence, they
may become very distressed if left alone, so make sure that
dangerous objects are put away. No glasses near the edge of tables
where they might get knocked off by accident, or sharp objects in
their enclosures.
3.
Bring pets inside the house if at all possible. Livestock and larger
pets should be locked into secured stalls or safe pens where they are
protected from getting tangled in fencing should they panic and run
into it in their attempts to escape.
4.
Having the radio or television on for background noise can help
disguise the sounds of the fireworks and gives your pets the feeling
that everything is normal and okay.
5. A lot of people want to include their pets in the festivities,
but they need to use caution, even if your pet appears to be
enjoying the fireworks. Dogs in particular may suddenly dart out to
chase a spinning or swirling ground firework and may be severely
burned or injured by it. Others may be traumatized by the sudden
loud noises. Remember that sounds may be much louder to a dog, as
their hearing is much more sensitive than ours.
6. Use sedation on nervous pets as necessary, your veterinarian can
advise you on how. Just a mild sedative or tranquilizer can often
help to calm the fears of an extremely stressed animal.
7. Make sure to pick up ALL leftover firework parts and other
objects after the festivities. The strange smells may attract pets
and may accidentally be ingested or injure them.
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Advice for all pet
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