Tips to ease pets' fireworks fears

While the Fourth of July is a time for fireworks and celebration, for many pets and their owners it can be a nightmare. The loud noises, flashing lights and smell of sulfur can cause excessive fear in pets.

Nervous behaviors such as trembling, whimpering and panting may be distressful to the pet, but the animal’s natural response to flee from what he interprets as a threatening situation may result in serious injury.

Some dogs are so frightened by fireworks that they may run through glass windows or escape from the yard and run the risk of being hit by a car.

Here are a few tips from HomeoPet to keep pets calm and safe this Fourth of July:

• Leave pets at home and indoors. Most pets are afraid of fireworks and may try to run away.

• Close all doors and windows and put on background music to muffle the sound.

• Close curtains and blinds to block the flashing lights.

• Be sure that all pets are wearing identification tags or have microchips in case they do run away or get lost.

• Try to distract a pet with chew toys and games, or play with another pet that does not share his fear.

• If there is time, desensitization techniques with appropriate sound CDs (such as thunder, fireworks, trains or sirens) may help pets get used to the sounds at a lower volume, then as they become more comfortable, gradually increase the volume.