INDEPENDENCE Day is not a
time of celebration for our pets. The fireworks that we humans find so
thrilling can drive pets, especially dogs, into a state of utter panic. The
explosions (even miles away), the high-pitched swoosh of rockets climbing
into the sky, the flashes of light -- these can all be overwhelming sensory
assaults. If your pet is terrified of fireworks, you probably know the
signs: He cowers, trembles in fear or hides and appears disoriented. Some
dogs become so frightened they take drastic action. They can crash through a
screen door, jump out of a window or leap a fence. Every year, local animal
shelters have their hands full dealing with lost dogs that bolted on July 4,
cats that have gone to ground and anxious owners looking for them. Sadly,
some lost pets are never recovered. There are ways to make July 4 safer and
less stressful for pets. Most importantly, don't take your pets to places
where there may be fireworks. Many of us consider our pets members of the
family, so it's natural to include them in our activities and they
unquestionably thrive on human companionship.
But we
must recognize that certain activities, like fireworks, aren't pleasant --
or safe -- for them. Keep your pet inside as much as possible on July 4 (and
for a few days before and after if your pet is extremely phobic about
fireworks). Confine him in a quiet, sheltered area of your home that's
protected from outside sounds. Shut the windows and close the blinds and
curtains.
Turn on a TV or radio to
drown out the noise. Stay home with your pet, especially at night when the
fireworks get going and distract him by playing games with his favorite
toys. If you can't stay home to keep an eye on your pet, take extra
precautions to keep him safe. Make sure all the windows and doors
are closed tightly. If your dog is crate trained, leave him in his crate so
he won't run or lunge and hurt himself when the fireworks begin. Make sure
your pet is wearing ID tags or has been microchipped, in case he does
somehow escape and run away. Don't, under any circumstances, leave a pet
outside, even if he's fenced or tied.
If a dog panics,
he could escape from a fenced area or injure himself by becoming tangled in
his leash (fireworks aside, it's never a good idea to leave a dog tied up
and unsupervised). Medication may help ease the stress for pets that are
extremely fearful of fireworks. But don't wait until your pet is in the
midst of a fireworks-induced panic to get medical advice. Check with your
vet before the holiday to see if tranquilizers are advisable and to
determine the correct dose. Independence Day also means barbecues and
picnics. To prevent accidental burns to your pets, always use caution around
outside cooking devices.
The
holiday also means a lot of good food for humans that's not necessarily
healthy for your pet. Monitor his scrounging, and keep fatty foods,
chocolate and alcohol out of his reach. And remember, never leave your
animal unattended in a vehicle; heat build-up can be rapid and life
threatening. Dr. Jeffrey Proulx is the director of veterinary services at
the San Francisco SPCA. If you have any questions about dogs or
cats, e-mail him at
dr.jproulx@sfspca.org
