Tips for pawrents: How to help your pets feel safe during New Year's Eve fireworks
Fireworks, revving motorcycles, torotots, and more—the New Year isn't complete without these noisemakers. While it may be fun and festive for humans to make as much noise as possible during the holiday, some of our furry little friends get stressed out.
Loud noises and bright flashes from things like fireworks can cause anxiety in cats and dogs because they have a very keen sense of hearing. They're more sensitive to these noises than people are and sometimes get terrified by the deafening sounds.
But because our furry pets are family, we want them to feel as safe as they can all the time—especially during times of celebration like holidays.
The loud noises and fireworks are inevitable, but there are things you can do to keep your fur babies feeling safe and happy before and during New Year's Eve.
Keep your pets inside. Leaving them outside may expose them to the fumes and loud explosions that will stress them out. This is also so they won't come across stray firecrackers out in the streets.
Take them for a walk before everything goes down. Early in the day, make sure your pup gets enough exercise so they won't have too much energy when the nighttime comes. Make sure the environment is safe, quiet, and free from fireworks so you won't encounter any problems during your walk.
Get an anti-anxiety wrap. This simple piece of fabric can help your pooch feel safe and relaxed as the fireworks color the skies. It's believed that the gentle pressure of an anti-anxiety wrap provides the same effect as a hug and gives them a sense of security. A 2014 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that these wraps do somehow ease canine anxiety.
To make an anti-anxiety wrap, pull out a bandage or scarf, something elastic that you can wrap around your dog. Make sure to cover your dog's chest and shoulders with the wrap. Check out how to wrap the dog in the video below.
Give your pet a safe space in a quiet room. When the fireworks start, make sure to give your dogs and cats a safe space where it's nice and quiet and the curtains are closed. You can turn on the TV or play some calming music to counter the noise of the fireworks and soothe your pets.
Additionally, make sure your pet has access to drinking water at all times and make sure objects like alcohol are away from their reach. Also, make sure your pet is wearing a collar with a tag indicating your details in case they get lost, and make sure your doors are closed and secure.