The 4th of July is just around the corner; a stressful time of the year for most pets and pet owners. Our furry friends are unaware of what holidays are, and they certainly don’t understand the concept of fireworks. Random pops and bursts can be perceived as a threat, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
Social distancing efforts have led to the cancellation of large group gatherings, so you may see an increase in firework activity in your neighborhood. So what can you do for your pet? We can’t prevent loud noises from occurring, but we can do our part to ensure our pet is as safe as possible by using the following tips:
Keep Pets Indoors
If your dog or cat is normally kept outdoors, this is the time of year to make an exception. For safe measure, keep all pets indoors for several days prior to and after the holiday (to account for early or late celebrations). Additionally, ensure that all windows and doors are kept closed to prevent any sudden departures from the home.
Muffle Outside Sounds
Use background noise to drown out the sound of fireworks from outside. You can use your TV, radio, or even a fan! Classical music is shown to have a calming effect on pets (on the other hand, this may not be an appropriate time to blast your heavy metal playlist).
Create Safe Spaces
Next time your pet reacts to loud noise, observe their behavior and notice where they try to hide. Use that insight to create a comfortable safe space. Dogs may choose to hide under a bed, whereas cats may prefer the safety of a “cat cave” (a DIY cat cave can be built using a box and T-shirt!)
Utilize Calming Products
At Gaia Provides, we have an assortment of pet-friendly calming products, including the Pet Tinctures. In addition to Cannabidiol, this tincture contains other cannabinoids, such as CBG, that may help calm your pet in the occasional stressful times. Gaia Provides' Pet Tincture can be used for both cats and dogs!
