How to Properly Secure Pets During Fourth of July Fireworks

Fireworks displays are a hallmark of the Fourth of July holiday, but they can be extremely stressful for pets. Here is how Fort Worth pet owners can keep their animals safe this weekend.

The City of Fort Worth published a blog post with the advice on Wednesday. According to the post, Animal Care & Control sees a significant increase in calls for lost pets on July 4.

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That's because frightened animals may try to escape the loud, startling noises. From 2022 to 2024, stray animal calls on July 4 ranged from 101 to 111, significantly higher than the average 59 to 76 calls on non-holidays.

Not only do fireworks cause a loud noise, they also trigger anxiety in dogs. This anxiety makes dogs shake, bark, hide, and even run away in fear.

Pet owners can help dogs out during this time by creating a calm, safe space indoors with familiar comforts that can mask the noise and offer distractions. Examples include music, toys, and treats.

It's also important for humans to stay calm during this time so that pets are reassured they are safe. For pets experiencing ongoing fear, gradual training before fireworks season can help ease their stress.

The city reminds residents that having or using fireworks inside Fort Worth city limits is illegal.