7 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe and Calm on the 4th of July

The Fourth of July is a much anticipated, fun holiday for humans but can be so frightening for our pets that they try to escape their home or yard and can easily  run into traffic and run for miles trying to find refuge, get disoriented, and then cannot find their way home which is why the shelters gear up for this holiday.

Thankfully there are many resources available to help your pets feel as safe as possible during this frightful time and I have found these 7 tips to be among the best: 

1) Keep them indoors in a safe enclosed room without windows or doors that they could escape from if the opportunity arose

2) Put on music, the TV, or the air conditioner to drown out the sounds of what causes the fear

3) Before the fireworks begin take your dog on a very long walk to tire him/her out to help put him/her in a calm state of mind when the festivities begin

4) If you are leaving the house for the night, hire a friend, a pet sitter or get a family member to come over and stay with them or drop them off with someone you can trust.

5) Make sure their identification tags and information are updated just in case a crisis happens.

6) Purchase a Thundershirt for your cat(s) and dog(s). This product has been known to successfully treat anxiety in over 80% of pets!

7) Put a few drops of Bach's Rescue Remedy in your pet's mouth, ears, or water bowl
 
I am positive that fewer families will face the heartbreak of losing a pet during the 4th of July holiday if they follow these simple tips.