The 4th of July is one of the best days of the year – fireworks, parties, parades, and lots of excitement! However, our companions aren’t such big fans of the noisy holiday and often get anxious and scared. We’ve compiled these tips to help your companion have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

At Gardner Animal Care Center, our obedience classes can help you and your pet at any stage of life to have the most enjoyable relationship together. After all, it is said that a dog is a man/woman’s best friend! Our goal is to promote and foster that best friendship for a lifetime. Training your dog well will help in times like the 4th of July when you need to create a safe environment for them

• Prepare your pet. If your pet has an opportunity to slowly become accustomed to the sounds of fireworks, the real thing on the Fourth of July won’t be as scary. Google “firework sounds for dogs” for several free options to help desensitize your pet from the loud bangs. First, play the sounds softly while your pet is doing something he enjoys, like eating or playing. Gradually increase the volume until it sounds like a true fireworks show.
• Provide a safe place with distractions. Some pets might prefer to be secluded in a closed, secure area of your home, like the basement or an interior room. Close all windows, window treatments, and doors. Then, distract your pet with classical music to help lessen the sounds outside, and play games with him or give him chew toys to keep him busy.
• Try products. There are many products meant to reduce anxiety and fear in pets. Some include:
  • Naturally occurring and calming pheromones (Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats) that can be plugged into your wall in the form of a diffuser, sprayed in your pet’s safe place, or even worn as a collar
  • Security and anti-anxiety wraps, like the Thundershirt, Storm Defender, Anxiety Wrap, and others
  • Nutritional supplements and special diets meant to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and maintain emotional balance (ask us what we recommend!)
  • Ear plugs for dogs, originally meant for hunting dogs who were around guns, can help muffle the noise (if you have luck keeping them in your dog’s ears)
• Talk to us about anti-anxiety medications. For pets with severe anxiety (watch for signs like shaking, destructive behavior, decreased appetite, incontinence, and excessive salivation), call our office. Often, the best option for these pets is prescription anti-anxiety medication, which will alter your pet’s brain chemistry, rather than just causing drowsiness, to reduce anxiety. To request a refill for your pet’s prescription, you can use our online refill request form.