FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – As America’s 250th birthday approaches, fireworks will be lighting up the night sky. And while the view can be mesmerizing, the initial reaction from pets is often not one of excitement.
The loud booms and bright lights can cause animals to instinctively run, making the Fourth of July – and summertime as a whole – one of the busiest times for shelters such as Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. Factoring in the forecasted heat, there are several reasons to take extra care of your pets this weekend.
FWACC shared a list of tips for keeping pets calm and comfortable during fireworks:
- Keep your pets inside the house where they are safe and comfortable, preferably away from windows.
- Close the window curtains to minimize visual stimulation.
- Play music, white noise, or calming shows on the TV.
- Provide pets with enrichment treats and their favorite toys to keep their minds busy and distracted from the fireworks.
- Some pets are more anxious than others. We recommend talking to your veterinarian before the holiday to see if medication could aid in keeping your pet’s stress level low.
- If you have cats, calming pheromone diffuser products can be found at pet stores and may help.
- When taking your dog outside to use the bathroom, keep them on a leash with a properly fitted collar or harness, even if you have a fence.
- Make sure all pets are wearing up-to-date ID tags on their collar or harness.
- If your pet is microchipped, confirm that the address and phone number are current. FWACC offers microchipping for just $15 for dogs and cats if your pet still needs one.
While FWACC said it understands families want to involve pets in holiday festivities, the shelter warned that even animals known to have a gentle personality can act out in fear and bite or run off if they are alarmed by fireworks. The best course of action is to keep them inside on the Fourth of July…