How to help pets tackle fireworks anxiety this Fourth of July

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Wren Ash-Piper started his Fourth of July with a hike in Shenandoah, but the end of his day will not be fireworks-filled as it will be for many Americans.

His dog, Quinoa, faces struggles that many furry companions across the nation face during holidays like the Fourth.

“She is 13. Filled with anxiety and fear,” Ash-Piper said while giving her a hug at his residence in the Woodbridge area.

Quinoa is scared of things that make loud, sudden noises; and she’s not alone.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) told DC News Now that any animal — including our pets like dogs and cats and wild animals — can have a negative reaction to the sounds of fireworks.

Ash-Piper said that having Quinoa has affected what his Independence Day looks like in some ways.

“I was a kid when I got her, and as long as I’ve had her, I haven’t shot off fireworks because I would hate to be a part of the reason why she’s so freaked out,” Ash-Piper said.

Dr. Charlie Apter with the University of Maryland’s Department of Animal and Avian Sciences said that anxiety about fireworks is very common in dogs. Animals such as dogs have more sensitive ears than humans do.

AWLA said that signs of anxiety will vary depending on the pet, but it may include excess parking, shaking, heavy panting, pacing, accidents, overgrooming or hiding. In extreme cases, pets could become sick because of increased heart rate or blood pressure or hurt themselves trying to run away from the sounds.

Apter said you should do what you can to keep your pets inside and away from fireworks. He said that watching fireworks displays on TV may help, as it gives you the ability to adjust the volume if it is too loud for your dog.

According to National Geographic , you can try a variety of items to help your dog relax:

• ThunderShirt – a vest for dogs that applies “gentle pressure” to help with anxiety
• Weighted dog blankets
• Dog ear muffs
• Calming caps to block out any visual stimuli such as flashes
• Sound machines
• Pheromone diffusers
• Calming collars

AWLA recommended keeping pets in a safe, quiet, well-insulated place away from windows and “give them their favorite toys and treats.” It also suggested considering staying home with your pet to help them handle the stress.

Ash-Piper’s day may end up looking like that. He said Quinoa will often hide in his bathroom without windows, and he will bring her comforting items inside and keep her company.

He uses a ThunderShirt and calming treats, as well as fans and air purifiers for white noise. Leading up to the holiday, he said he hoped their Fourth of July hike would help Quinoa “really knock out” after her calming treats.

Ash-Piper said that the concern about fireworks covers a larger time frame than just the holiday, however.

“The unfortunate part is a lot of the lead up to the Fourth of July, people are setting off their own fireworks, and maybe sometimes weeks after, people just have a lot left over; so it’s hard to be 100% sure that we’re out of the woods,” he said.

If you are concerned about your pet’s anxiety, you should speak with your veterinarian to see what would work best for your furry friend.

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