As Americans celebrate Independence Day this weekend, we want to talk about a very important issue related to the holiday that affects cats and dogs directly – FIREWORKS. Cats and dogs are very frightened by the sound of fireworks – as well as thunder. The sound is very distressing to us even if we’re indoors and the fireworks are happening several miles away.
According to petfireworkfear.co.uk, approximately 60 percent of pets become fearful during fireworks. (It’s not clear if that statistic is international or only relevant to the United Kingdom.) And, exposure to such loud sounds can cause a noise phobia in pets. You’ll know your cat is scared if she/he hides behind furniture, runs away , refuses to eat or soils the house. There are several things that you can do to prepare your pets and keep them safe. Make sure you keep them in the house and close the windows and curtains to mute outdoor sounds. So, we’re asking all the pet parents to be mindful about your cats and dogs this July 4 weekend. More information is available on pets and fireworks at the U.S. Humane Society and About.com.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
[…] barbecues, parties and fun outings. It can also be a stressful time for pets. As we wrote in our 2009 July 4 blog, fireworks are scary for pets. So, please humans, be considerate to your furry family members (we’re not talking about men […]