Fourth of July fireworks can be hell for pets. Here's how to keep them safe and calm

The sound of fireworks on the Fourth of July presents problems for pets and their owners.

Animals become frightened by all the noise. Sometimes they run away from home.

All those lost pets create issues for animal shelters, including Pasadena Humane. When lost pets are brought to shelters, staffers need to make sure they can accommodate them. One thing they’ve been doing is emptying the shelters as much as possible through foster and adoption campaigns.

“ Like most shelters, we're preparing for what will be one of the biggest days for stray and lost animals,” said Pasadena Humane President Chris Ramon.

While not everyone's dog or cat will run away, most will show some signs or fear or anxiety, experts say. Some signs are obvious. Dogs, for example, may pant, tremble or whine, while cats may pace or jump.

Elizabeth Stelow, a veterinary behaviorist at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, said animals may become more aggressive in response to fear.

“ The biggest reason that pets don't enjoy fireworks is that they don't understand the purpose of them,” she said. “Realistically, all they hear is a large explosion. Explosions typically are not a positive thing.”

So how can can you help your pet during the July 4 festivities? Here are some tips from the experts:

Make a plan ahead of time

Avoiding chaos on the Fourth of July starts before the fireworks go off.

“I  have clients who literally pack their pets up and get away from where fireworks are most likely expected," said Stelow, who acknowledged that not everyone can do that.

For pet owners who can’t get away from the noise, another option is to talk to a veterinarian about what medications might be available to soothe a pet's anxiety. It may already be too late to get a prescription by the holiday, but you can still make an appointment to prepare for next year.

Ensuring your pet is easily identifiable in case they do get lost can help neighbors or shelters reunifications. ID tags and microchips with up-to-date information can also help speed up that process.

"A microchip is the primary source of reunification for people when they lose their animals,” Ramon said.

Pet owners can also turn to more accessible technology, like GPS trackers or Apple AirTags, that can provide information on their pets whereabouts.

If your pet does become lost, time is of the essence. Searching your local area and checking in with local pet shelters quickly may improve the chances of your pet being found. You can also put out a lost pet notice on platforms like Nextdoor, local Facebook pages, or Pawboost.

Avoid trauma and bunker down

Creating a space that is calming for your pet and away from the noise of fireworks as much as possible is key. This may be a room in your home that's farther away from the street and somewhat insulated from outside noise.

It helps to provide your pet with something to distract and comfort it, like toys and soft blankets. Stelow also suggested playing white noise — calming sounds at a low frequency — in the space to mask the sounds of the fireworks.

Remember to lock windows and doors to minimize the chance of your pet escaping.

Experts say simply being there for your pet can also make a big difference.

Keep pets away from the action

One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make, according to Ramon, is bringing their pets to July 4th events.

“ I love that many people in many households consider their their dogs to be like family, but I think this is the one event that you can consider leaving them behind,” he said.

Bringing pets to July 4th events may also decrease the chances they’re found if they run away, as the animal may not be able to navigate home.

Also be cautious about when pets are let outside or walked. If that typically happens in the evening, consider going for a walk earlier, before firework shows begin.

Be cautious of other potential pet harms

The sound of fireworks is not the only thing that can harm animals. Smoke inhalation, contact with explosive fireworks and eating a discharged firework can all hurt a pet.

The recommendation here is largely the same as for other hazards: keep your pet away from fireworks and out of harm's way. Don’t let an unsecured pet near active fireworks.

And look out for firework debris when walking your pet. Don’t let them eat anything off the ground, and pick up stray firework debris for the next pet owner if you can.