Although fun for people, the 4th of July is no fun for pets. If dogs had a vote, we’re sure they’d banish 4th of July fireworks forever.
What the 4th means for most dogs is some fear and anxiety, but for other dogs, the holiday is a terrorizing nightmare that can even risk their lives.
The sad truth is, more dogs get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. And, you can’t let your guard down in the days before or after the 4th, either. According to Pet Amber Alert, 30-60% more pets get lost between the 4th and the 6th than the rest of the year.
It’s appalling but according to national statistics, only 14% of the pets that go missing will be reunited with their owners and July 5th is the busiest day of the year for shelters. It’s hard to fathom but many pets will never be found and many of the pets that do get lost remain unclaimed, and if not placed in rescues, will be euthanatized.
To help keep your pet safe on the 4th, there are some things you can do, such as:
- Help them feel safe.
- Don’t take them to firework shows.
- Keep them indoors.
- Stay home with your pet.
- Talk to your vet about severe anxiety before the 4th.
- Be sure your pet’s tags and microchip information is up-to-date.
- If you must leave the house with your pet, be sure their collar, leash, or harness are secure and strong enough to contain them should they panic.
Two Easy Tricks to Help your Pet Feel Safe
To help your pet feel safe, stick to your normal routine and turn on the TV to help drown out loud noises. You can also swaddle your pet to help them feel more secure and less anxious. T Touch massage is also a great way to help calm your dog.
Please see the graphic below for instruction on how to swaddle your dog and do calming T Touch massage of their ears. If you don’t want to swaddle your dog yourself, you can buy a Thundershirt.
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