Sasha and Buddy The Wonder Cat will be celebrating the Fourth of July indoors with plenty of sound camouflage in the form of music, movies, and one particularly loudstanding fan that’s reminiscent of a C-130 in flight. The freezer is well stocked with ice cubes (Buddy likes to bat them across the kitchen tiles when he’s not pushing them around in his water bowl) and the fridge has low-fat cheese and cucumbers for Sasha’s snacking pleasure. Add in treat balls stuffed with special yummies and these two will be able to tune out the scary sound of fireworks.
Here are a few reminders about pet safety on the 4th:
Whatever and wherever you celebrate, here’s wishing you a safe and happy holiday!
Our neighborhood has some serious Halloween fans and the yard decorations get bigger (and some might say scarier) every year. In the past few weeks I’ve discovered that Sasha is no fan of skeletons rising from the ground, or ghostly wraiths swinging in the trees. She mutters past the tombstones propped in flower beds, skitters away from cobweb-shrouded bushes, and barks wildly at the assorted inflatable creatures that have taken possession of the lawns.
In contrast, my beloved spaniel Alix loved Halloween and was first to the door (followed closely by the two cats) whenever the costumed hordes rang the bell. Before giving out the goodies we’d ask her “Shall we give them candy?” and time after time she obliged with a single happy bark. This became a neighborhood tradition and every year the kiddies waited eagerly for the dog’s seal of approval.
And so it went until the year that a youngster came by wearing a glow-ring necklace. Great for parents, I suppose, to keep track of their little ghosts and goblins in the dark, but apparently a bit too scary for my four-legged welcome crew. In fact, the cats retreated in rapid order and Alix hid behind me. When I asked the usual question she just peered past my legs, no doubt trying to figure out why that child’s head looked green. When no bark was forthcoming, the child begged me “Ask her again, please!”
Glow sticks aside, I’m fairly confident that Sasha won’t enjoy a night of endless bell-ringing and kiddie chatter. So we’ll go dark and retreat to the rear of the house with a pet-friendly movie and extra treats for our own four-legged kiddies.
If you want your own pets to enjoy the seasonal celebrations, here are some tips to keep everyone happy and safe, reblogged from the American Kennel Club:
Dog Treats, Snacks, and Halloween Decorations
With all the candy and decorations associated with Halloween, you have to be extra careful. Many candies, snacks, and decorations can be tempting, but dangerous, for your canine pal. Make sure to pay close attention to your dog during this festive time.
Is your dog going trick-or-treating with the family? You’ll want to make sure he’s OK with all the Halloween chaos before you decide to bring him with you. If you do take him along, you’ll want to take certain precautions to stay safe while you’re going house to house.
This article will help you decide if your dog should come trick-or-treating and learn some tips on how to stay safe on the big night.
How to Prepare Your Dog for Trick-or-Treaters
With Halloween come trick-or-treaters. If kids are going to be ringing your doorbell, you’ll want to make sure your dog is prepared.
Check out these best practices for making your dog part of the Halloween greeting committee.
What to Do if Your Dogs Gets Away From You
You think it will never happen, but with a crazy night like Halloween your dog might get away from you.
As a kid, I loved fireworks celebrations. Loved the colors, the artistry, and the music that often accompanied the big events. I still enjoy the celebrations, although my appreciation is tempered by the effect fireworks may have on our furry companions. Some reports suggest dogs can be frightened by the fireworks and often escape the yard, winding up lost, injured, or worse.
If you’re likely to hear a barrage of fireworks as people celebrate the holiday weekend, consider how to make the experience a bit less scary for the pets in your family. At the end of this post you’ll find a terrific infographic from the American Kennel Club with important reminders for us all. To begin, here are some useful tips to help keep your dog safe, courtesy of the Such Good Dogs blog:
Have ID on your pet:
This is the number one most important thing! More pets run away on July 4th than any other day of the year. Be sure that your pet has proper identification tags with updated contact information. On the 4th, be sure to keep your pet on a leash and keep a close eye on him when out and about.
Preparation:
The best thing to do for a dog that gets nervous, anxious, or fearful during fireworks is to properly prepare BEFORE the day arrives.
Try Lavender Oil:
Lavender is a naturally calming scent for both humans and dogs. I have recommended lavender in the past for dogs with arthritis. To use lavender for your dog, take some time to give your dog a massage and give some good petting. Put just a little dab of lavender oil on your hands before massaging your dog and/or petting him in his favorite spots. Use nice, calm, slow strokes. Slowly massaging the outsides of the spine from the neck down is another proven approach. Be sure not to use a lot of lavender. A little dab will do just fine. You do not need a lot to get the smell, and we do not want to have dogs licking excessive amounts of oil off themselves. The point of this exercise is to associate the smell of lavender with a nice calm, relaxed state of mind. You should do this for a few days (or more) prior to the fireworks on July 4th. Your dog will build an association to the smell of lavender and being relaxed and calm. Before the fireworks begin, put your dog in his “safe place” with the scent of lavender.
Have a “Safe Place” for your dog:
For many dogs the thing that makes them feel best and most safe is to be able to get as far away from the sights and sounds as possible. Have a spot ready that your dog will enjoy and be comfortable in. Make it somewhere far away from outside walls and windows. This will make it easier for him to relax. The best thing would be a kennel or crate. Dogs generally enjoy den-like enclosures, and having your kennel or crate set up before the 4th will help them have a nice spot to go. It is also helpful to place sheets or towels over wire crates to help block sound and lights. Be sure to take the temperature into consideration. It is summer and things get hot quickly. Do not make your “safe place” uncomfortable for your dog by making it too hot. You are most looking for a den-like area for your dog to feel safe. If possible feed and/ or treat your dog in this area prior to the 4th. Make sure the area is lined with a bed or comfy blankets for your pup as well.
Also remember to try and give your dog something he enjoys to help occupy him such as a chew bone or Kong filled with some yummy treats or peanut butter. Communication & Energy:
If you will be around your dog during the fireworks, the best thing you can do for them is to remember to remain calm and feel like the fireworks are no big deal. Dogs react to energy. If your energy is telling your dog that you are calm and not at all worried about the sights and sounds, your dog will feel that it is okay for him to relax as well.
Exercise your Dog before Dusk:
A fantastic way to help your dog is to thoroughly exercise him before the fireworks begin. Be sure to get your evening walk in before it starts to get dark. The less energy your dog has, the less energy he has to put towards being fearful. A tired dog will be more comfortable and will be able to more easily ignore the sounds and sights of the night.
The American Kennel Club always has helpful information about canine care, and they’re put together a sensible list that’s worth keeping for year-round reference. (New Year’s Eve, for example, often ends in a frenzy of fireworks.) Find that here. And here’s a great graphic, courtesy of the AKC, that sums up the key points to help keep our beloved pets safe. Wishing everyone a happy and safe celebration!
