From A Dog's Point Of View: Fireworks And July 4th Celebrations

Fireworks… loud, exciting and beautiful, right?

But try to see things from your dog’s point of view.

“To us, fireworks are the sparkling embodiment of July 4th,” the NJ Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stated in a social media post.

“But to dogs and cats, they truly are bombs bursting in air. The pops and explosions during holiday festivities can scare dogs into leaping over or digging under fences to escape the thunderous blasts, leading them to get lost or injured. More pets go missing over the Fourth of July weekend than any other time of year.”

Here are some tips for helping to keep your animal companion calm during this year’s celebration, courtesy of the NJ SPCA.

• Designate a safe space in the home for your pets to retreat to during the festivities.
• Play calm music at a low volume to block out some of the outside noise.
• Distract your pets with play time and treats if they are pacing or displaying nervous behavior.
• Make sure your pet has current ID tags with up-to-date contact information.