Fireworks and Pets Do Not Mix Well!
Often part of our 4th of July celebrations, fireworks can be terrifying and possibly painful for many of our dogs and cats.
Our pets have much more sensitive hearing as a survival advantage. The sharp concussion of a fireworks explosion may actually hurt them. They will often run and hide and tremble in response to the noise alone.
In addition, dogs and cats instinctively avoid smoke and fire. The gunpowder smell of expended firecrackers can trigger intense escape responses. This can lead to pets running away – in fact, the 4th of July is the number one day that pets get lost.
The bottom line: our 4th of July is just not fun for many pets!
What to do? Avoidance is #1 here. Don’t take your dogs to the fireworks show. Also don’t personally be the one firing off loud firecrackers near pet dogs or cats. When possible, keep the pets in the most sound-dampened room as you have during fireworks events. Turn on the TV or classical music.
Composure Pro is a nutrient product that can really help many patients. And the Thundershirt anxiety wrap is often very helpful. Both of these products use natural pathways to help reduce anxiety. See our Thunderstorm blog for a bit more information about these.
Medications may become part of the strategy to help some patients through this season. Rarely is the sedation side effect of Benadryl useful for these intense phobias. Alprazolam is the generic Xanax brand name. It truly is an anti-anxiety medication. Though this Rx makes the most medical sense, it just doesn’t help some dogs. Ace Promazine is a sedative and the old time prescription for this use. Many clients report that “Ace” works better for their pet. Some DVMs use both alprazolam and Ace together for some challenging cases.
Fireworks and thunderstorm fear is very real for many dogs and cats. Avoid the fireworks as much as you can. Prepare ahead for these events and try out Composure Pro or a Thundershirt BEFORE they are needed. Work with your veterinarian and help our furry companions through these frightening times.