Fireworks and Pets: Keeping Them Safe and Calm

We sell fireworks, and a lot of our customers have dogs, cats and horses at home. Loud noise and flashes can be scary for animals, and a frightened pet may bolt. The good news is that a little planning goes a long way. This guide is based on advice from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the ASPCA. It is not a substitute for your own vet, especially if your pet has a history of strong reactions.

Why fireworks bother pets

Fireworks are loud, sudden and unpredictable. Animals cannot tell a celebration from a threat, and many will try to run or hide. The AVMA warns that highly stressed pets may look for any chance to escape the noise, which is why so many go missing around the Fourth and New Year's.

The ASPCA lists signs of anxiety to watch for, such as pacing, trembling, panting, drooling and hiding. If you have seen these in past seasons, plan ahead this year.

Before the season

Check your pet's ID. The AVMA and the ASPCA both stress up-to-date ID tags and a microchip with your current contact details. If your pet is chipped, log in to the registry and make sure the phone number is right. The AVMA also suggests taking a current photo of each pet, including horses, just in case.

Talk to your vet early if your pet has a history of fear. The AVMA notes that behavior work to help pets get used to noises can reduce problems over time, and some pets may need medication. The ASPCA advises asking your vet before giving any anti-anxiety medication, trying a test dose before the holiday, and never sharing medication between animals or going over the dose.

If you are planning your own show, tell your neighbors, especially anyone with horses or livestock nearby.

On show night

Leave pets at home. The AVMA advises against bringing pets to parties, fireworks displays and parades.

Keep them inside, in the quietest room you have. The ASPCA suggests an interior room with no windows, with soft music playing. The AVMA notes that white noise, music or TV can help muffle the sound. Close windows and curtains. Some animals do better with a snug-fitting shirt or an anxiety vest.

Give dogs a good walk earlier in the day, before the noise starts, and take them out on a leash for bathroom breaks later. Even a fenced yard may not hold a scared dog.

Keep pets away from the fireworks themselves. The ASPCA warns that lit fireworks can cause severe burns and trauma, and that unused fireworks are a hazard too, because many contain substances like potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates and heavy metals. Store your fireworks somewhere pets cannot reach until you are ready to light them.

Party food and other hazards

Cookouts come with their own risks. The ASPCA advises keeping alcoholic drinks away from pets and avoiding sudden changes in diet, which can cause stomach trouble. Keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and glow jewelry out of reach.

If your pet eats something it should not, or is exposed to fireworks, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.

The morning after

Debris from your show, and from your neighbors' shows, can land in your yard. The AVMA and the ASPCA both recommend checking the yard for spent fireworks, paper, plastic and food scraps before pets go back outside. Soak any used fireworks in water before you throw them away.

Horses and livestock

If you keep horses, cattle or goats, plan for them too. The AVMA includes horses in its July 4 advice, starting with a current photo of each animal in case one gets loose.

Walk your fences before the season and fix weak spots. Keep animals in a familiar pasture or barn they know well, rather than moving them somewhere new on a loud night. Clear loose items that could blow around or startle them. If an animal has reacted badly before, call your vet ahead of the holiday to talk through options.

If you are the one putting on a show, think about the animals next door. Let neighbors know when you plan to shoot, so they can bring animals in or stay home to watch them. Pick a launch spot as far from barns and pastures as your site allows, and keep debris off land where animals graze.

If your pet gets out

Start looking right away. Check with neighbors, local shelters and animal control, and post the photo you took before the season. Make sure the microchip registry has your current number, because that is often how pets get home.

A note from our store

We want your show to be fun for everyone, including the animals in your home and down the road. Plan around your pets, check your city and county rules, and keep the volume of your show in line with your setting. Reserve online and pay at pickup at 5159 I-30 in Caddo Mills. No shipping, local pickup only.

Sources: AVMA: July 4 safety · ASPCA: Fourth of July Safety Tips · ASPCA: Fireworks and Your Pet: Tips for Staying Safe · ASPCA: Four Ways Fourth of July Fireworks Can Harm Our Pets · City of Arlington, TX: Prioritize Pet Safety During Independence Day Celebrations

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