There is a saying that goes, “every dog has his day.” But, most pooches prefer the 4th of July is not that day.
One way to mitigate fireworks freak out is talk to your veterinarian about medication, if you notice they are especially stressed by loud, unexpected sounds.
“Acepromazine is my favorite,” said Andrea Dennis, Veterinarian at the Bloomfield Animal Hospital, of the anti-anxiety medication. “But, you have to make sure the dog is very healthy to be able to handle it.”
She has also prescribed Xanax and Valium, but infrequently.
“When you start using human drugs, you’re not quite sure how it’s going to react,” said Dennis, who doubles at the President of the Connecticut Veterinary Association
Assuming they do not need drugs, one of the important things you should remember is to keep your pets indoors during fireworks.
“Most dogs want to bolt,” said Dennis. “They want to go away from the noise. So, if they’re outside, they’re gonna leave your yard.”
July 5, the day after most firework celebrations, is when animal shelters tend to fill up with lost animals, making it critically important that your pets are wearing an ID or have a chip installed in case they scram.