It can fireworks to be very beautiful for the eyes of people, for the psyche of dogs, however, it is enough traumatic. Those who own pets have experienced firsthand the stress their dogs experience when they experience fireworks in the sky for 5+ minutes.
Why, though, the dogs are they so afraid of fireworks? Fireworks are the top cause of stress in dogs, with 71% of pet owners reporting their dog is afraid of them, according to nypost.com.
THE fear of fireworks it ranks higher than separation from owners, lightning, new people or other pets, vet visits and car rides as the top cause of pet stress. However, only 16% of dog owners claim to have found distractions such as toys and treats helpful in trying to calm their pets from them.
Instead of skipping the festivities, see some advice from experts to help you understand and manage your dogs anxiety about fireworks.
Why are dogs afraid of fireworks?
The bright flashes and loud sounds from fireworks activate the “flight or fight” instinctwhich makes dogs perceive festive outbursts as threat or potential harm and react with fear and panic. Research by North American Veterinary Clinics published in ScienceDirect found that at least 40% of dogs have noise-related phobias.
Also, apart from scaring dogs, fireworks can also damage a dog’s hearingdepending on how close the animal is to the explosion, as they sound at 190 decibels.
What are the symptoms of fireworks anxiety in dogs?
- Sudden alertness
- Tilting their ears
- Refusing to go out or trying to run away from home
- Worry
- Trembling
- Panting
- Excessive barking
- Hiding
- Special attachment to the boss
What are the best ways to calm dogs during fireworks?
The easiest and most effective way to keep dogs calm during fireworks is stay in and cuddle your pet. Experts also recommend to wrap your furry friend in something warm and to his distract with treats, toys and soft music. If none of these seem to help manage your dog’s fears, pet owners can ask the vet for medication to calm their dogs down.
Stressed dogs can become unruly and even try to run away to escape this stressful situation, so experts recommend that dog owners check that tracking devices are prepared for the worst case scenario.
While managing a dog’s anxiety around fireworks is essential for most, pet owners can also try to get man’s best friend to slowly adjust to the disturbing flashes and sounds of fireworks.
How is this possible?
Pets can slowly adapt to loud noises and learn that these sounds may not be a sign of danger. THE “desensitization to sound” is a training method that teaches pets that scary sounds can be predictable and fun. To begin the program, dogs should be carefully exposed to elevated sound levels until they are able to handle random loud noises.
To prepare specifically for fireworks, experts advise pet owners play random firework sounds while doing everyday things like playing or going about their daily routine. Some pets can adapt completely, while others will simply be less stressed by these sounds.
Source: News Beast
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