This little known technique can help comfort cats and dogs ahead of July 4th fireworks
Fox News correspondent Lauren Blanchard shares how using noise desensitization can help your furry friends during the holiday festivities.
More pets reportedly go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of the year.
That's what various public service announcements from animal shelters, pet safety and welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies have been warning pet owners every summer ahead of Independence Day festivities.
Multiple sources have cited reports from Petfinder, a North American pet adoption website powered by the pet food and goods company Purina, and the Bissell Pet Foundation, a pet adoption nonprofit run by the Bissell vacuum company, which claim Fourth of July weekend is a time when pets often run away and get lost.
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In 2023, branches of the Humane Society and similar animal welfare groups have referenced Petfinder and Bissell Pet Foundation's findings as a way to warn pet owners that Independence Day fireworks can cause serious discomfort to animal hearing.
Likewise, last year, the Wichita Police Department reminded Kansas residents that pets get spooked from loud noises around Fourth of July weekend, and the warning has also been issued by Pet Amber Alert, an online pet finding service in the United States.
"July 4 is coming, and we want to remind you how to care for your furry friends," the Wichita Police Department wrote in a Twitter post on Friday, June 24, 2022.
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"The booming sounds of fireworks elicit a fear or anxiety response in pets," the department continued in a series of tweets.
The Wichita Police Department noted that dogs "are most at risk for noise aversion" due to their sensitive hearing; cats experience noise-related anxiety as well.
"For example, your pet may react by hiding, and many pets may become confused about the direction of the sounds and react by looking for an escape route," the department wrote. "Their fight-or-flight response puts them at risk of becoming lost."
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Exact numbers on how many pets go missing around the holiday are hard to pin down, but a 2015 report from Pet Amber Alert said Animal Control Services throughout the country see a 30% increase in lost pets from July 4 to July 6.
Pet Amber Alert released an "Afraid on the 4th — Keeps Pets Safe" report and infographic in 2015, which detailed how many pets are lost around the Fourth of July, according to data from Animal Control Services. (Pet Amber Alert)
In an infographic, the pet finder noted that dogs, cats and birds were the three pet types that most often went missing.
The dog breeds that were "most common" runaways were Labrador retrievers, chihuahuas and pit bulls. Cat breeds included Persians, Siamese and domestic short hairs. For birds, the common breeds most likely to fly off were parrots, parakeets and cockatoos.
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While updated numbers on Fourth of July pet runaways are difficult to find, the American Kennel Club — the nation’s leading dog registry and association — published a report this month that confirms holiday festivities are still spooking pets.
How to prevent your pet from fleeing on the 4th of July
Pet safety and welfare organizations say Fourth of July is a time when many pets run away to escape loud noises. (iStock)
Catherine Dennig, co-founder and CEO of Fursure, a San Francisco-based pet insurance marketplace, has four tips she offers pet owners on the Fourth of July.
1. Invest in and double-check pet tags
Pet owners who plan on watching fireworks as a way to celebrate Independence Day should make their beloved pet has up-to-date tags, Dennig told Fox News Digital.
"Whether you are watching in a public space or in a fenced-in backyard, [it’s] better safe than sorry," Dennig said.
Dogs tend to get scared by fireworks because canines have very sensitive hearing. (iStock)
Equipping your family pet with updated tags will increase your chances of finding your pet if panic-induced separation occurs.
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2. Ask a vet about medication
Before the holiday arrives, pet owners might want to consider a quick visit or call to a local veterinarian.
Veterinarians can prescribe antianxiety medications to pets that get antsy from loud noises. (iStock)
"Ask your pet’s vet to recommend antianxiety medication or calming treats," Dennig said.
She added, "There are lots of pet insurance options that will cover medication fees."
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3. Have distractions ready
If loud noises from Fourth of July festivities can’t be avoided, Dennig said pet owners should "keep toys nearby as a distraction."
Pet toys can be a helpful distraction from loud sounds if Fourth of July fireworks disturb your furry friend. (iStock)
4. Don’t take your pet to gatherings
Pets have a lower chance of getting lost if they’re kept inside a secured home or environment.
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Dennig said pet owners should consider leaving their pets at home instead of taking them to an outdoor Fourth of July gathering.
Cats can also experience anxiety from loud noises. This includes Fourth of July fireworks. (iStock)
If leaving a pet at home is an option, Dennig recommends pet owners make a "safe space" for animal companions, which could be a bed or a crate.
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"[Surrounding your pet with] familiar things may be more calming [for the animal] than [being] by your side among the chaos," Dennig said.
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