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A Pet Owner's Guide to Fireworks



Summer holidays and fireworks almost go hand in hand, and while they are appreciated by so many, they can be terrifying for pets, wildlife, and even humans! Since we aren’t able to explain to our pets what those loud, explosive sounds and bright lights are (this can also be applied to thunderstorms!), being prepared prior to these holidays is very important, especially if you have a pet who is sensitive to this! Here are a few ideas to keep in mind before the fireworks begin and a few tips to help reduce that potential stress.


Make sure your pet is microchipped, and the information on their collar is correct. In a worst-case scenario, some pets have escaped and run away due to their fear! To ensure their safety and that you will have the best chance of being reunited with them, let this serve as a reminder to make sure everything is up-to-date.


Create a calm, safe space for your pet. Shutting the windows/pulling the curtains, turning on fans, the AC, the tv/radio or even playing white noise on YouTube are all amazing ways to help reduce or muffle some of those scary sounds! If you have a cat, make sure to give them plenty of places (high and low) for them to be able to hide.


Take an extra-long walk during the day of fireworks. Tuckering your pup out with lots of play, mental enrichment, and exercise can be one way to get through a stressful night. This same idea applies to cats and other pets as well...just maybe without the walk!


Get your pet a Thunder shirt. Have you heard of a Thunder shirt before? This vest provides slight compression which can calm down many animals! It’s almost like a constant hug. The Daily Paws did an article breaking down their top picks for Thunder Shirts. You can read it by clicking here.


Don’t wait! Order those CBD calming aids to get here in time. Speaking of reminders, here’s your reminder to order any sort of calming aid you need so that it gets here in time, if this is something that works well for your pet. Our friends at Ellevet Sciences have CBD products for cats and dogs to help reduce stress. These products come in different forms for those sometimes picky pets!


Talk to your vet. If the anxiety of fireworks far surpasses what can be managed with some of these other tips, it might be time to have a chat with your pet’s vet to discuss other options to make them feel more comfortable!



We’ll leave you with this amazing infographic created by the RSPCA:





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