4th of July is the Number One Day Pets Get Lost, Says Larimer Humane
Humans should consider themselves lucky to get to be loved by a dog. Every once in a while that dog really really needs our help because they are scared or injured.
4th of July is the most common day of the year for pets to go missing according to the Larimer Humane Society.
They go on to say that "for many pets, the noise and unpredictability of fireworks can be perceived as a threat, triggering a fight-or-flight response, and your dog may try to run away and hide."
Some dogs could care less, but for some dogs, the terror is so real it requires drastic measures to help them calm down. I learned this with my big black lab Bella years ago. The fireworks that our neighbors would randomly(and illegally) set off would send her trembling and drooling. I found the only way to help her was to turn on music, lay with her, spoon her and cover her ears until it stopped. With 3 small children at the time, this was nearly impossible.
The Larimer Humane Society posted a lot of helpful suggestions on their Facebook page of what you should do before you leave your house for the 4th of July festivities.
1) Exercise your dog the day of, so they are less anxious during the celebration.2) Keep your pet safely secured inside an escape-proof part of your home, and remove objects that could be broken should they destroy them or try to flee. Dogs left in yards or left alone in homes can find ways to escape fences, break through windows, and destroy objects when trying to find safety from the scary sounds.3) Play ambient sounds/music or leave on the TV/radio during the celebration to help keep your pet company and drown out the explosive sounds.4) Keep pets busy, providing them with treats and toys to distract them from outside flashes or noises.5) Just in case, ensure your pet has an updated license, ID tag, and microchip – this could be their ticket home!6) If your pet exhibits extreme fearfulness or stress due to the fireworks, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe medication to help alleviate your pet’s anxiety.
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