(PS... the pic above are my dogs, Casey and Storm, doing overwatch of me watering the trees in the yard this week!)
Whether you’re watching the ball drop in person or seeing it on TV while cuddling on the couch with a champagne toast, fireworks are a big part of New Year’s Eve. Dazzling displays of them will be lighting up skies tonight, and while they delight and entertain humans, pets aren’t really big fans.
If your dog or cat gets freaked out by fireworks, they’re in good company. The noise not only terrifies some pets, it turns out, it leads a lot of animals to run. According to research from the SPCA, loud noises like fireworks are the cause of nearly one in five lost pets. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the holiday tradition easier on your cats and dogs.
Here’s what experts recommend to keep pets calm and safe during New Year’s Eve fireworks:
- Petting your dog - Ideally, at least one human will stay home with your pup to reassure them if they’re anxious. If possible, hang out with the dog in a room without a lot of windows and play soft music or a movie as a distraction from the noise. Veterinarian Diana Watkins says one of the best ways to calm your dog down is with strong, firm pats of affection.
- Thundershirt - Some pet owners swear by anxiety-reducing devices, like a Thundershirt, which works like a weighted blanket to comfort your dog.
- Medication - Extra-nervous dogs may benefit from anxiety medications vets can prescribe for stressful situations, including loud sensory events like fireworks and thunderstorms.
- Collar with ID - You don’t want your pet to be one of those who gets lost during fireworks, so make sure they have their ID tag on at all times, or have a GPS locator on their collar if they’re not microchipped.
- Take a long walk before it gets dark - Get your pet’s exercise in earlier in the day before the fireworks begin, just to be safe. That way they’re not tempted to bolt when they hear the noise.
Source: USA Today