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Make It A Safe Fourth Of July For Your Pets

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Not all dogs will celebrate the Fourth of July as patriotically as Sir Ivan Stark the First. Fireworks can cause high anxiety.

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By KRISTEN LEVINE

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 2, 2008

Updated: 07/03/2008 06:43 am

The rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air might make for patriotic celebrations for us humans, but your pet will feel differently.

If you know your pet will have problems with all the neighborhood fireworks on Independence Day, meet with your veterinarian as soon as possible, advises Gregory S. Hammer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"There are many dogs that experience a great deal of fear and anxiety on this holiday, and that can be a serious problem," he says. "Nobody really knows why some animals find it so unnerving. Is it the noise? Is it fireworks and flashes of light? I'm not sure if anybody knows what really frightens dogs."

Dogs? Yes. Cats don't seem to react as much.

"Cats will just hide," Hammer says. "But dogs can do a lot of damage. I've had dogs chew through doors, through screens, and that can certainly cause a lot of damage not just to the home but to the animal."

If your dog is upset by fireworks, put it in a part of the house where it can't hurt itself, Hammer suggests. Anti-anxiety drugs can help, but you need to consult with your veterinarians long before the holiday.

Sometimes the best solution is simply to be with your pet when the fireworks blow, Hammer says. If left alone, your pet may panic and become destructive, or if outdoors, may try to escape to safety.

July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters. Dogs are found miles from their homes, confused, disoriented and exhausted. Pet owners call shelters frantically. In the worst cases, anxious dogs or cats might be hit by a car as they run from the sound of fireworks. Or they never find their way back home if they aren't wearing identification.

To ensure a safe, happy Fourth of July, consider the following tips provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Humane Association.

Talk to a professional! If you know your pet suffers anxiety during thunderstorms, or when a door slams, you can expect the same during Fourth of July celebrations. Consult your veterinarian about helping your pet cope with anxiety.

Stay home with your pet. Keep it inside, shielded from loud noises. Remember, dogs' and cats' sense of hearing is acute!

Keep your dog or cat confined, away from doors. If your pet is stressed, it may dart out the door.

Create a special den where your dog will feel safe. A secure enclosure, a comfy blanket and favorite toy will make a comfortable spot.

Minimize the flash and bang of fireworks by closing windows and curtains; cover the pet's crate or kennel with a blanket; turn on a radio, television or exhaust fan to distract your dog from the noises outside.

If your pet shows signs of anxiety, don't try to comfort it; that will sound like praise and may create more anxiety.

Always have current identification securely on your dog or cat in case it becomes lost. ID tags and a county rabies license are very important, but also talk to your vet about microchipping your pet for permanent identification.

There are safe ways to include your dogs in the holiday festivities. Bring them along to a picnic or a beach outing, or include them in family gatherings at home. Just be sure to tuck them away safely when the noisy celebrations begin.

More summer pet safety tips are available at www.avma.org and www.americanhumane.org.

CRITTER CALENDAR

Feral Cat Special

Every Tuesday this month, the Animal Coalition of Tampa Spay/Neuter Clinic, 1719 W. Lemon St., will spay or neuter feral cats and give them a rabies vaccination for $10. The cost also includes pain medication and an ear tip to identify the cat as "fixed." Cats must be in traps - not carriers. To make an appointment, call (813) 250-3900 or go to www.actampa.org for information.

Let The Dogs Out

Celebrate the long weekend by grabbing your favorite pet for live music and togetherness from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Gaspar's Grotto, 1805 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Pets on the Patio, the first Saturday of every month, includes pet vendors, rescue organizations and a featured charity, along with special prices on refreshments. For information, call (813) 884-8189 or go to www.gasparsgrotto.com.

Bike For Primates

Hop on your two-wheeler at 8 a.m. July 12 and pedal from the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, 4600 Alt. U.S. 19, Palm Harbor, to Tampa Road and back in a bike-a-thon to benefit the sanctuary. Registration is $10; shirts are available for $15. You must register by July 10 by calling (352) 584-2552 or e-mail erco_travelytb@yahoo.com. Bicyclists will meet at the sanctuary gate at 7:45 a.m. to pick up water.

A staff report

Reach Kristen Levine at kristen@fetchingcommunications.com. Find dog parks, popular pet names and past Pet Cetera columns at TBO.com, keyword: Pets.

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