Being a human suffering from anxiety, I can sympathize with an anxious pet. Many pets get scared during fireworks, and it's not something to be brushed off. Unlike you or me, our anxious pets don't understand what's happening. Fireworks don't seem to scare our big dog, Hilo, but he does get excited. He just barks a lot, but The Grump shows actual signs of fear. Some people have their vets prescribe tranquilizers, but if your pet doesn't require something so extreme, there are other things you can do to help. This post contains affiliate links.
Keep Anxious Pets Calm During Fireworks
Stay Home – If possible, staying in to comfort your anxious pets is ideal. Last year we stayed home, but I thought it would be nice to sit on the deck to watch fireworks. I brought The Grump out there with us. That was a BIG mistake. He was horrified and instantly started shaking like a little leaf. It didn't help that all the neighbors had their loud fireworks blowing up very close to us. I felt so horrible that we subjected our dogs to this. This year I will be inside with the pets on the 4th of July.
Of course, I love to stay in, so this is not a problem at all for me. If you are like most people and have plans on the 4th, here are some other suggestions.
Background Noise – I find that having the TV or radio on can help drown out the noise of fireworks or thunder. The huge BOOMS that shake the house still cause jumpiness, but it seems to help during the rest of the chaos.
Create a Safe Space – Crate trained dogs can sometimes find their crates to be a “safe spot”. They consider it to be their little space and find the confinement soothing. The Grump is no longer crate training, so he just likes to curl up under the blankets on my bed.
Essential Oils – Many essential oils have calming effects. Just as they benefit us, they can help anxious pets as well. Canine Calm natural aromatherapy mist by Earth Heart Inc. helps relax dogs using a soothing blend of essential oils. You can also use a diffuser to mist the air with calming oils. I like eucalyptus, peppermint, and/or lavender.
Thunder Shirt – I have never tried a Thunder Shirt, but it makes sense to me. Gentle pressure is shown to have a calming effect. It's like wearing a hug! 😉
Remain Calm – Definitely do not freak out or let your dog see you in a frenzy during this time. If you act like nothing is wrong, they tend to pick up on that vibe. You are their leader, so lead by example.
Wear them Out – Do something extra fun and active with your pets during the day. Hopefully they will be too wiped out to freak out.
Do you have any anxious pets? What have you found to be most helpful?
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
These are great tips. We just got our dog, Milo, in December, so we haven’t had him around for fireworks yet. I have a feeling he’s going to FLIP when they have them in our town. We have a small carnival in town around the 4th and they do fireworks three nights, too!
Scott says
We had one dog that would always freak when she heard fireworks. As she got older she lost her hearing – problem fixed!
Brittany C. @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life. says
This is so true. Our boxer gets terrified at these noises. Have to keep them calm during these times when they don’t know what’s going on!
Laura (Lauras Little House Tips) says
Great tips. My dog gets so scared we stopped going. I will definitely look into essential oils! Thank you for sharing.
Ellen Christian says
These are great tips. We have one cat who hates loud noises.
kristin says
Great tips. I hope ur puppy does okay this year, luckily we will be home with him.
Amber Edwards says
These are great tips. We took our dog to the 4th of july parade last year. And he actually did Ok. We created a shady spot for him our of our lounge chairs. And used “weight” in a special dog backpack to help keep him calm. Essential oils work great too.
Meagan says
I had never even thought about this! I’m going to have to keep my dog indoors this 4th of July!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Thunder shirts work wonders for my dog, he is terrified of even heavy rain!
April Golightly says
My puppy hates the fireworks. He gets so upset.
Kelsey Apley says
We keep our dog inside, he is a bit anxious to start with and all the noise really scares him. I worry about a firework getting in back yard and hurting him so he is monitored when he goes out, and potty’s and comes right back in.
Ann Bacciaglia says
Great tips. I have 1 dog and 2 cats at home. I am glad to read this right before the holiday weekend.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I wish they made this for kids,my son hates loud noises including fireworks. This product sounds great!
Pam says
Great tips! We have a very neurotic cat, and he always gets scared during fireworks.
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
Awesome tips! My parents have 2 nervous pups- I will pass this along!!!
tammileetips says
What great tips! Its easy to forget they will be scared and nervous
Liz Mays says
My sister’s dog goes nuts over them. She starts dropping pop as she walks across the floor all the way across the floor. It’s bad! I need to send her to your blog post!
Shauna says
Oh my goodness, our min-pin would hide in the closet on the 4th and New Years… your tips are great. I never thought of using anything to help calm him down. Thanks so much
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
Ahh great tips! With 4th of July right around the corner (literally, where’d the time go?!?!), I’ll certainly be using these.
Stacey - Seattle Mom Blog says
I’d love to win this! My beagle is terrified of loud noises like thunder and fireworks. About 4 years ago she ran away when she heard fireworks and we didn’t find her for 3 days. I never want to have to go through that again!
Dede says
Our dog just trembles the whole time the fireworks are shooting off. I feel so bad for her!
Linda Szymoniak says
I have five rescued Treeing Walker Coonhounds. A couple of them had been used for hunting (Kyoko actually has buckshot in her still) and are scared to death of anything loud, like thunder, fireworks, gunshots,, loud trucks, etc. They get especially bad during thunderstorms and fireworks. I’m looking for something to use with their Thundershirts to hep keep them calm.
Debi says
I wonder if this will help our pup. She gets so scared from loud noises.
shannon dewease says
I would love to try this! My maltese is a wreck when it comes to fireworks, thunderstorms, loud trucks, etc. He hides and howls constantly.
melanie Borhi says
I’d like to win this for my neighbor she just lost her other dog and now she only has 1 dog and this is his first Canada day / fireworks celebration alone , he’s not dealing well with being on his own and I think this product would really help her dog cope with the anxiety and fear of absence as well as the fear that most dogs have of the fireworks going on in the background in the neighborhood!!
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun says
My dog is anxious and afraid of everything! Thunder, fire works, anything loud, or new. I’ve tried the thunder shirt and it did not seem to have any affect on him. I would love to win the Canine Calm essential oil blend Diffuser and a bottle (or 2) of Canine Calm!
Anita says
Thundershirt seems to work okay on my young Samoyed.
Lily Kwan says
I would like to win because this looks very useful!
David Fultner says
I thunder shirt works great.
DEBRA GIFFORD says
I think Thunder Shirt sounds great. My dog, Cubby, a YorkiePoo I got at 8 months came to me with freat anxiety. He jumps at the least little noise. He’s so lovable and adore him. He always runs and jumps on me when he is afraid. I suffer from anxiet and more also so I understand totally. It’s a terrible feeling! Thank you for all of the great tips!
Jennifer says
Awe, he sounds adorable! And, yes, anxiety is a horrible feeling. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone!
rebeccabasset says
Oh my Basset was so scared this Year, She ended up Peeing in my Bedroom, She was too afraid to go Outside, and I tried making Her, because I knew She had to go, but I couldn’t force Her Outside, so She ended up Peeing while She was walking in my Bedroom, I tried turning up the TV, but that didn’t seem to help either, so next Year I will do better!
Thanks for the Post, and the Tips!
Jennifer says
Poor baby! 🙁 That’s so hard. Plus, you can’t get mad at them for peeing inside when they are horrified. Hopefully this year is better!
ellen beck says
Excellent tips. I know Odin dislikes fireworks. I generally have found if you model behavior for the dog that you arent concerned- walking around the house, doing normal activities and trying NOT to jump yourself it helps. He is a follower though even for a large breed and he still. nervous.
Also, make sure you keep your dogs and cats inside if you can, supposedly during fireworks season there is a huge spike in lost pets because they get so confused.