By Alex Ladd EBS STAFF
The Fourth of July can often mean barbecues, outdoor events, community gatherings and beautiful firework productions. However, to our pets, the Fourth can also mean a long and terrifying night. The loud inconsistent booms and bright lights can trigger an animal’s fight or flight response, which in some cases result in a pet running away.
Explore Big Sky spoke with Stephanie “Dr. Syd” Desmarais, founder of Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital, who outlined a few key points for pet owners in order to help prepare their furry friends for this upcoming holiday weekend. Based on her advice, we’ve put together a practical guide on preparing your home, your plans and most importantly your pet for the holiday weekend.
Securing your home
During the Fourth, there is often a large spike in runaways, which is why it’s essential to ensure your pet doesn’t escape when the panic sets in.
- Close escape routes: secure doggie doors, windows and doors
- Safe and quiet location: Chose a designated space and ensure lights are turned off. Include a white noise machine, a fan, or even a TV show to try and drown out some of the noise outside.
Tagging and preparing your pet
Dr. Syd mentioned that being prepared and tagging your pet for the worst-case scenario can go a long way in making sure they are returned if they do run away; this can be a collar with the name and phone number to contact if found or having a microchip.
For pets with high anxiety, proactive care is often key in helping them be more relaxed by the time the shows start. Over-the-counter behavioral supplements like Solliquin was recommended by Dr. Syd to help promote a natural calming effect. Another option is discussing specific options with your vet to see if a stronger prescription would be a better option.
Real-time plan
Being present for your animals during this time is ideal as they look to you to provide a sense of safety during a period of discomfort. Use high-value, positive distractions to distract and rewire their brain’s response to the noise. Having their favorite snacks or toys on hand can go a long way in helping them associate the noise with a positive outcome.
Know when to take a break
If your neighborhood is close to major firework activity, consider implementing breaks away to give your pet a moment to decompress. Dr. Syd highlights that especially in areas like Big Sky where fireworks often go on for a few days, planning “to give them a break to re-calm their nervous system” can make a huge difference, she said.
A few examples she highlighted included taking a short walk in the evening, reaching out to a friend who lives in a more secluded neighborhood to bring your pets, and heading towards the canyon to take them for a swim in the river.
Overall, by implementing some steps tailored to your pet to plan, you’re helping to ensure that the whole family can have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Although this guide is meant to help you navigate this upcoming weekend, you know your pet and what they need best so trust your gut. Lastly, Dr. Syd mentioned not to hesitate to call your local clinic with any specific questions since they’re goal is also to help ensure your pet stays healthy and safe.
