As much as we all love fireworks, those of us with pets know that the Fourth of July can be one of the worst days of the year.

Many pets are afflicted by noise phobias, especially when the noises are loud booms such as fireworks and thunder. Neither you nor your pet can control its reaction to loud noises, but we can help them if we know the signs of noise phobia and how to reduce the stress and terror that can come with it.

Some pets react well to behavior modification as well as medication. What's very important is that your pet not injure itself while it is trying to hide from the noise.

Common signs of noise phobia include the following:

• Shaking or trembling
• Excessive drooling
• Barking and howling
• Trying to hide. Make sure that if your pet is in the house or some type of enclosure that there is nothing around that can break or otherwise cause injury to the pet. Pets have been known to become caught in broken windows and suffer cuts to their face and feet. I speak from experience since I left a pet at home many years ago and came home after the fireworks show nearby to find my dog caught in the window bleeding to death.
• Refusing to eat
• Lack of bladder or bowel control
• Temporary diarrhea

If signs are still present well after the fireworks, contact your veterinarian since something else could also be wrong with your pet.

Don't scold your animal or otherwise try to discipline it for being frightened of fireworks. It will do no good and could cause even more harm.

As much as we like to have our pets with us at all times, when it comes to fireworks, leave your pet at home where it is comfortable and safe. Close the curtains and turn on the television or radio to help cover up the noise from the fireworks.

Make sure that your pet's safety place is available. Some pets like to hide under beds. Others in closets. Zoey the Cool Cat likes to hide under the covers of the bed when she's frightened by the big dump truck that comes by every Tuesday morning.

If you are in a city or county that allows home fireworks — San Diego does not — keep your pet away from matches, lighter fuel, fires, and fireworks. Some pets will try to sniff or eat fireworks, and pet hair and their little foot pads can burn easily.

If you know that your pet does have a noise phobia, sometimes a walk before the fireworks begin will help them, especially if they are used to using the restroom outside. Don't try to make them go outside or go for a walk immediately after the fireworks since they know quite well that all those booms came from outside.

Be sure your pet's ID tag is current just in case it should get outside and away from you. Zoey the Cool Cat has a microchip in her little shoulder.

 

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