PSA: Your dogs might be terrified of fireworks

By: 7 years ago

Fear of fireworks is normal for most dogs. Sure, as humans they’re nice to marvel at, but as a pet parent, we need to consider our pet’s welfare, too.

Dogs have three basic approaches when dealing with fear: running away, hiding, and fighting. When they’re frightened, they don’t know when the next bang is going to be thus having no way of coping with it or escaping it. Firework phobia can become a major source of anxiety for dogs. Anxiety symptoms range from depression (through panic attacks) to aggression. That fear can lead to a more generalized fear of other noises, making them oversensitive. According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), the “acoustic violence” caused by fireworks (and any loud noises for that matter) can cause long-term trauma to dogs and cats.

We found that anxiety wraps contribute a great deal when calming your dog down. It uses acupressure and gentle, constant pressure to relieve stress and lessen their fears including hypersensitivity, insecurity, and shyness. There are anxiety wraps available on the market, but you can easily make one at home. You can use an old shirt or a scarf to do it. Here’s an illustrated instruction from PAWS:

In addition, consider these tips to make your dog feel at ease when the countdown starts:

Take your dog out for a walk in the afternoon to shake a little bit of the anxiety off;
Give them a meal high in carbohydrates but low in protein about an hour before the fireworks start;
Try to play some heavy-bass music to drown the distant bangs;
Put them in their kennel with their toys and treats, plus water should always be available

So before you get crackin’ this holiday season, make sure that your furry friend is safe and secure first. If the wrap isn’t enough, you can always hug them really, really tight.