5 Ways to Fight the Fireworks Fear

Many dogs are scared of fireworks and this can create anxiety around the holidays. Keep your faithful friend safe on both Independence Day and New Years Eve with a few basic precautions.

1. It should go without saying: never take dogs to fireworks shows or leave them outside during the festivities. Keep them indoors in their crate or other comfortable spot with their favorite toys. 

2. Be sure your dog is wearing a collar. Even if you're keeping your pup safely indoors, there's always the chance that he may bolt out the door if you open it. Keep your dog's ID tags and microchip information up-to-date.

3. Make your home comfortable. Close the curtains, windows, and blinds. Keep white noise going in the area where your dog is staying, such as a fan, television, or even specially-designed soothing music.

4. Use anxiety aids. Wrapping an Ace bandage around your dog's torso (firmly, but not too tightly) may help reduce the shakes. The constant gentle pressure may soothe your dog's nerves (a similar concept to why we swaddle babies for comfort). Pheromone diffusers like Comfort Zone may also help.

5. Don't forget the felines. Most cats are characteristically unflappable, but some may be spooked by the shaky-booms, too. Keep your skittish kitty safely enclosed in a low-traffic room with plenty of toys to distract her until the fireworks are finished.

Firweorks can make our pets skiddish.  In the event that your pet should get scared and run away, having an active microchip to track them, and a pet insurance policy to protect them, can be a good idea.