If your furry friend has a hard time when fireworks are going off in your neighborhood, they’re not alone. Fireworks are one of the biggest anxiety triggers in both cats and dogs, as just about any pet owner will tell you. What’s worse about fireworks than other loud noises is that they’re unpredictable, and so it can be hard to prepare our pets for the stress that they can cause. But, there are some ways to help minimize your pet’s negative response to fireworks.
Is Your Pet Afraid of Fireworks?
Most pets are afraid of fireworks, and it’s easy to understand why. Pets generally do not like loud, sudden noises, as they’re biologically programmed to see them as a sign of serious danger. Now, some pets are better at hiding their anxiety than others, which doesn’t make it any less real. Let’s go over the most common symptoms of anxiety in your pets, so you know what to look for the next time fireworks are going off in your town.
- Pacing
- Excessive vocalizing
- Aggression
- Hiding
- Excessive need for physical affection
- Urinating inside
- Chewing at their fur/skin
- Drooling
- Refusing to eat
If your pet is showing any of these symptoms above while fireworks are actively going off, then it’s safe to assume that they’re, at the very least, experiencing some level of stress.
Tips for Maintaining a Calm Environment to Ease Your Pet’s Firework Anxiety
If your pet is demonstrating signs of anxiety during a fireworks display, then there are some things that you can do to create the environment around them calmer. While these methods may not completely eliminate their anxiety, they can help make your cat or dog feel more secure and safe in your home.
Tip #1: Create a Safe Space for Your Pet
A pet’s natural instinct when they sense danger is to hide, and many of our pets do hide once that first firework goes off. You can help them by creating a safe space for them that they can retreat to when they feel like there’s a nearby threat. Pets generally like to find small, relatively confined spaces to hide out in until the threat is gone, so find some type of enclosed bed, or create a fort using some cushions, blankets and furniture.
Tip #2: Minimize the Impact with Calming Music
While we can’t completely drown out the sound of fireworks, we can minimize their impact with some calming music played at a moderate volume level. The soothing sounds of calming music, such as the music that’s used for meditation purposes, can ease their nervous system and dampen the blow of each firework as it occurs.
Tip #3: Know Your Pet’s Boundaries
Every pet has a unique personality, and even has different requirements when they’re feeling particularly stressed. Some pets like to be held, some like to be pet and some like to be completely left alone. Observe your pet to see what they respond to best and respect their personal needs and boundaries. Many of us instinctually try to cuddle a pet when they’re feeling stressed, but most cats and dogs actually prefer to be completely left alone when they’re dealing with anxiety.
Tip #4: Give Them Some CBD
Cannabidiol could be surprisingly useful during a fireworks display. A study found that dogs who were administered CBD-infused treats showed a lower stress response to sudden, loud noises. Giving your furry friend a CBD treat or some CBD oil about 30 minutes before a fireworks display can be immensely helpful, giving their nervous system a sense of ease to make them less reactive to the loud noises that are about to come.
Note: Before administering your pet cannabidiol in order to calm them down, best to speak with your veterinarian first.
Tip #5: Talk to Your Neighbors
If you have neighbors who like to set off fireworks, maybe it’s time to have a talk with them. The closer fireworks are, the louder they are and the scarier they can be for your pet. If your neighbor is reasonable, they’ll understand that their fireworks are a major source of distress for your beloved companion.
Bottom Line: You Can Minimize Your Pet’s Anxiety During Fireworks
Fireworks can be incredibly frightening to both cats and dogs, making the summertime particularly stressful for devoted pet owners. Luckily, there are some ways to keep stress to a minimum, for both you and your pet. At Chill Paws, our CBD-infused treats and oils are used by many pet owners as a natural way to ease the anxiety caused by fireworks.
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