This is a bit of a rough stretch for pets - especially dogs - when you take the record-breaking temperatures we're seeing and throw in the fireworks that will be coming with the 4th of July in just a few days.

I was in the garage a couple weeks ago and found a bag of random fireworks from last year. There were a few boxes of Pop-Its that my kids immediately wanted to do. Those are the little guys that you throw on the ground and they make a 'pop' and 'snap' sound. They aren't exactly roof rattlers. But our neighbor came outside after a couple minutes and asked if we could stop because their dog is already a bit hyper - and gets super on edge when it comes to fireworks.

The 4th is always a day that stands out on the calendar for pet owners. It's a bit nerve-racking to know the hourglass is counting down until your furry friend is going to be freaked out once the fireworks kick into full gear. This KPAX article says shelters get a ton of stray dogs in the days that follow the 4th of July - after becoming scared and running away from the noise. I never thought about that before - but just tack it onto my list of reasons why I'm more of a cat guy. (I know - some cats are freaked out by fireworks too.....but no cats I've ever had fall into that category!)

If you're looking for a few ideas to keep your pooch from going bonkers with anxiety on the 4th, the article also lists these helpful tips:

  • Never take pets to a fireworks display
  • Keep pets indoors in a secured area where they can't escape
  • Turn on the TV to drown out the sound of fireworks
  • Stay with your pet if you can to help keep them calm
  • Make sure they are licensed and microchipped in case they do get lost

Hopefully your pets make it through the fireworks without getting too worked up - and may you be blessed with neighbors that don't want to light off any leftovers on the 5th.

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To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

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