The Fourth of July is just around the corner, with Independence Day celebrations throughout Santa Barbara County — from morning till night.
Then there are fireworks shows at Santa Barbara’s West Beach and in Solvang.
We all love the family-oriented celebrations so we often include the canine members of our family, but dogs do not like fireworks. This includes official fireworks extravaganzas or the small bursts of illegal fireworks in your neighborhoods.
In the United States, more pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, with some reports showing numbers of up to 30% more lost dogs on this specific holiday!
Fireworks are loud and unpredictable, and many dogs react to them as a threat.
Be sure your dog has ID tags and is microchipped. So if it runs away aimlessly, being disoriented from the unfamiliar loud noises, it can be identified and reunited with you.
If your pal is already microchipped, check that the contact information on the microchip is current.
Individual firecrackers and fireworks at an official show come without much warning, if any. The loud noises and flashing lights sound and look different each time. And they occur at different intervals, so dogs cannot get used to them.
Our dogs have a sense of hearing that is much keener than ours. They hear twice as many frequencies as we do and hear sounds four times farther away.
Fireworks shows feature random bursts, making spectators “Oooh” and “Ahhh” in excitement, but they also make many of our dogs whine and bark with anxiety.
The fireworks can cause restlessness, shaking, panting, pacing and feeling threatened. This can generate dogs’ fight-or-flight response.
Your dog may bark at the noises or try to run away and hide. Unfortunately, there is nowhere for your pal to hide. The noise is heard indoors and outdoors. So your pal may run aimlessly and possibly in front of a vehicle or get lost.
Keep your pal inside in a quiet, secure room in its crate or dog bed. Close your windows and curtains to soften the fireworks’ sounds and flashes. You can even cover the crate with a blanket.
Stay calm so your dog does not get cues from your concern over their fear. Turn on some music, radio, TV, fan or white noise. These are familiar and calming sounds that muffle the scary and sudden sounds of the fireworks.
Please be aware that Santa Barbara’s fireworks display will be shown on livestreamed on KEYT.com, televised on KEYT Channel 3 and simulcast on KjEE 92.9 radio — so avoid these channels to reduce fireworks sounds and sights.
Cats also will find comfort in a covered spot off of the floor, such as a hut in an indoor cat tree.
If you need to leave your pal alone at home, get out its favorite old toys and provide long-lasting treats. Exercise your dog before you leave. Double check the fit of its collar or harness before exercising because there may be some bursts of illegal fireworks during the day and the dog could break loose in a panic.
Your trainer can help you immensely by working with your dog to desensitize it, far in advance of the Fourth of July, to fireworks and other loud noises.
Wency Elaine, a local trainer/behaviorist, advises not to ever bring your dog to a fireworks show, especially a young dog. The experience may cause the dog to be sound and light sensitive for a very long time.
Your veterinarian can also prescribe some anti-anxiety medication you can use to help calm your pal.
Happy Fourth of July! It is a people’s party day to celebrate America’s independence but, for our dogs and cats, it’s just another day — only one that exposes them to crazy and wild sounds and sights.