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Are Your Pets Scared of Fireworks?

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:00:03 -0700

Happy Fourth of July! I've shared my tips to prep pets for firecrackers, but for those of you who can hear them from your homes, are your pets ever affected?

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To the Rescue: Fireworks Are Scary!

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Fireworks can be very frightening to a dog . . . even deadly! Since 'tis the season of sparklers, I'm offering some quick tips to help your pets cope with these scary sounds.

While it's fun to include dogs in your activities, this is one they should definitely sit out! Please keep your animals inside during the noisemaking. If you've got a pet that goes out, make sure he does his business before the display, or can wait until after it's done.
Close all doors, windows, curtains, and blinds. Turn on the television or radio to drown out the noise (as best as possible).
Try to distract your pet with special guests, brand-new toys, or rare treats right before the display starts . . . if possible in a room furthest away from the noises like a basement.
If your pet takes off into hiding, let him be. Trying to lure out a frightened creature while the scary stuff's still happening is not a good idea . . . and extra stressful!

There are many soothing products you can get from Feliway and Dog Appeasing Pheromone to special fireworks CDs, either to purchase or as free downloads (when you right-click). To use these audio effects with a pet, start playing at a low volume and build up to normal volume over time. If you play repeatedly, furry friends can get desensitized to the noise (at a level from inside the house).

Remember, if it's loud to you, it's definitely too loud for your dog – canines can hear sounds at an ultra-high frequency (like those "silent" dog whistles) and can register sounds three times greater than your ear can – keep your pets safe!

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What's Your Take: Did Heather Mills Kill a Dog?

PetSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:30:25 -0700

An East Sussex woman is claiming Heather Mills' fireworks killed her Weimaraner, Glow, seen above. The incident occurred last weekend during the 20-minute firework conclusion of the birthday celebration for Mills' daughter with Paul McCartney, Beatrice.

Sandra Rowbury (who lives yards away) says her five-year-old dog was terrified by the loud explosions and suffered a "fatally bloated gut," dying only a few hours after the birthday party ended.

I have a feeling it's going to be hard to prove this one, but what's your opinion – do you think she's guilty or not?

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Dealing With Fireworks as Easy as Right-Click, Download

PetSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:05:21 -0700

If you're in an area where you can't completely shield a pet from fireworks by keeping her inside far from windows, or drowning out the sound, there's a possible solution to get her used to the distant booms.

While it's possible to purchase fireworks CDs for this purpose, you can download some for free online, like these when you right-click. To use, play in the house quietly and slowly work up to a louder volume. (The same can be done for sirens if you live near a hospital.) Have you ever desensitized a pet in this fashion?

What Happened on Petsugar This Week (6/29-7/4)?

PetSugar — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:00:31 -0700

We're smack dab in the middle of our long holiday weekend, and I hope yours is going along swimmingly! This week we discussed how your pets may react to those noisy fireworks displays (how did your pets do?), new celebri-smooshies, and my July Must Haves. What else did we cover this week? Now that you've finished off those BBQ leftovers, clean off your hands, and take my recap quiz to see how well you were paying attention this week!

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Do Tell: Nibble From the Grill?

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0700

I want to include my pooch in our fireworks-less Fourth of July plans, but North and yums mix all too well! He's very well-behaved outdoors with many things to sniff (and has a lovely red-and-white striped harness), but I'm worried to have him so close to a hot grill. . . . and all that temptation. With pets near a BBQ tomorrow, or any day for that matter, give them plenty of safe space away from the savory smells, or keep them indoors or leashed while burgers are flippin'. If you must pamper a pooch with people food, save a bit of unmarinated, boneless chicken breast or other cooked lean, skinless meat as a freshly-grilled snack. Remember, even though bones sound like great dog treats, I don't recommend giving these items from your table to your pups as many can splinter in their throats or cause canines to choke.

Do you let your pets try tomorrow's tasty treats? What do they use those powerful puppy dog eyes to get?

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Scaredy Dog

PetSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:00:43 -0800

North is normally a pretty quiet pup that only occasionally barks at a knock at the door or a ringing telephone. However, a guaranteed, ten-minute tizzy starter is the buzzer at my building's entranceway. My friends know to always phone but never ring when they arrive, but for deliveries or unexpected guests, I'm left no choice but to answer the door while I'm trying to talk him down.

This is the same pup who is virtually unaffected by fire trucks (unless we're crossing the street), thunder, and fireworks . . . but, in addition to the door buzzer, he hates the slamming of metal shop gates. My best guess is the loudness – and closeness – is what always sets him off. Is he all alone here in his silliness or do you have pets that react to loud, surprising noises? Please share with us in your comments below!

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