ST. GEORGE — While many people love the boisterous ballistic bliss that accompanies the 4th and 24th of July in Utah, the loud booms can give nearly any dog or cat a case of pyrotechnic panic.
According to the American Kennel Club, more dogs go missing around July 4 and 5 than any other day of the year, and it’s attributed to the anxiety and panic triggered by fireworks.
“It is common that shelters will see more strays during that time,” Washington City Animal Control Officer Herrold Egger said.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also reports that its Animal Poison Control Center also experiences an increase in calls around Independence Day due to pets having issues with loud noises from fireworks or even having eaten fireworks.
If you’re going to be setting off fireworks at home, it is best to keep your dog away from the leftovers, especially if they are prone to munch on anything and may consider a fireworks casing to be a prime target for gnawing on. Firework remains can contain chemicals and metals that are harmful to pets if consumed.
The loud booms can scare both cats and dogs, though the reaction from dogs tends to be more pronounced. The loud noises will typically send cats into hiding, while a dog may do its best to escape the noises altogether. In other words, Fido will start running — and keep running.
“Keep your pets inside during the fireworks,” Egger said. “If you have to let your dog outside to relieve themselves, go with them and maybe even keep them on a leash. We’ve had dogs run and jump over walls.”
These pets can get lost and end up in the custody of an area animal shelter. However, some dogs may not be so lucky; some might be injured or killed in traffic or attacked by predators, depending on where they end up.
To help counteract the bangs and booms, Egger recommends that pet owners have either music or a television turned on with the sound up a little higher than usual to down out the noise. This tends to work in some cases, he said.
Pet owners are also reminded to have identification tags on their pets, as well as have them microchipped so they can be located more easily if they end up in another city’s animal shelter.
The following are tips from the ASPCA website for pet owners to help keep their pets safe and panic-free while the fireworks are underway:
- Something as simple as turning on some music for background noise and moving your pet into an interior room with no windows can be helpful.
- An anxiety vest may work in some cases. If you don’t have one, try a snug-fitting T-shirt.
- While noise phobias are not as common in cats, they can and do happen. Fortunately, cats tend to hide when frightened. Checking in on your cats, having some quiet music on and keeping them indoors during the height of the fireworks is always a good idea.
- If you and your veterinarian decide that anti-anxiety medication is your pet’s best bet, there are a few things to remember. First and foremost, give a practice dose of the medication before the big night to see how your pet responds to the medication. Second, never share the medication with another pet or give more than the recommended amount. If you do, you may end up spending the holiday at your local veterinary emergency clinic.
When it comes to pets that like to taste new and unusual things, never underestimate that pet’s level of curiosity.
- While cats are typically a little smarter, some dogs will eat anything, regardless of how it tastes – including fireworks, which can contain several types of chemicals and heavy metals. Some of the health impacts that dogs can get from ingesting fireworks can be found here.
- If you set off fireworks at home, make sure you thoroughly clean up the area before letting your pets have access to that spot again.
Additional tips:
- Keep pets away from lit fireworks at all times, including in your own yard or street, as some will chase after the bright moving objects and are at risk to be burned or blinded in the process.
- If your pet does go missing over the holiday, check immediately and often with local animal shelters. Go to the shelter in person to identify your pet, rather than calling or emailing, as staff may not be able to respond in a timely enough fashion.
Under Utah law, fireworks can be set off two days before and one day after the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day.
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