When fireworks go boom, your pet may sense doom

For dogs and other animals, it is their worst nightmare.

Noise phobia in pets induces panic and may result in dogs and cats making a choice between “fight or flight”. Some pets can become so fearful and panicked that they bite, including their owner or family members. Other pets may tremble in fear and try to hide in a closet or under furniture. And some dogs and cats may decide to run away to escape the loud noises. In fact, July 5th is the busiest day for animal shelters, many filled to capacity with pets that panicked at the sound of firecrackers. 
 

Make a plan to keep your pet safe and secure during fireworks

As pet owners, we are responsible for keeping our pets safe and healthy. That includes having a plan to make your pet secure during loud celebrations and firework displays. Consider these tips to make the celebrations less stressful for you and your pets:

• Exercise you dog beforehand to help them relax
• Keep them at home and indoors in a quiet room or crate
• Make sure windows and doors are closed and secure
• Turn on a fan, TV, or play soft music to help create white noise
• Make certain that your pets have I.D. tags with up-to-date information
• Provide your pet with their favorite toy or blanket to give them comfort
• Talk to your veterinarian if your dog or cat requires medication to help ease their anxiety

Watch out for potentially dangerous debris on the ground 
 

• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
• Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Bonus tip: Protect your dog or cat this summer and beyond

The best way to protect your pet, no matter the season, is to talk to your State Farm^® agent about how a pet medical insurance with Trupanion can help protect your pets, or start your free, no-obligation quote online.