6 Ways to Help a Dog Who’s Scared of Fireworks

Is your dog afraid of fireworks? Firework fears are very common in dogs, and if your pet experiences this response to loud sounds, you’re not alone.

As a dog owner, it can be difficult to watch your pet deal with fear surrounding fireworks, especially when the summer months roll around. In the article below, you’ll find information about some of the best ways to help your dog get through this experience and stay as calm as possible, too.

Methods to help a dog who is scared of fireworks include crating the dog in an undisturbed safe space, playing music or white noise to distract them, giving your pup a thunder shirt or medication, and keeping calm as your pup’s parent.

Stay Crated if Possible

If your dog is already crate trained, keeping them in their crate will help reduce the fear and stress associated with fireworks. However, if they are not already crate trained, now is not the time to start working on it, as they will be too stressed for it to work.

If your dog is not crate trained, create a safe space for them in your home. In a guest room or other out-of-the-way location, set up their bed, water, food, and a couple of favorite toys. Keep this room shut and ideally locked throughout the fireworks.

Do Not Disturb

While your dog is in their own safe space within your home, do not disturb them very often. It is perfectly fine to check in on your pup every so often, talking to them in a soothing way and making sure they have enough food and water. However, checking on them too frequently will likely spike your dog’s nerves and make them even more nervous and stressed.

Be sure other members of your family and any visitors know not to bother your dog while in their crate or room, too. This way, your pup will feel more comfortable and may be able to relax more easily without frequent visits from various friends and family members.

Music and White Noise

In your dog’s personal safe zone, make sure you have soft music and white noise playing throughout the fireworks. These sounds will help drown out the noises from outside, and even if your dog hears the fireworks, they won’t sound as loud to them.

Do not play music or white noise too loud, but make sure they are loud enough. A comfortable volume for you is typically slightly too loud to your dog, so keep this in mind when choosing a volume level. Pick instrumental music that is soft and gentle, such as classical or “study music” options.

Thunder Shirts

Thunder shirts are articles of clothing designed for dogs to wear. They are meant to fit snugly around the dog’s body while still allowing plenty of room to move, breathe, and feel comfortable. These shirts provide pressure therapy that helps reduce anxiety and fear in dogs—much like a weighted blanket for a human.

Thunder shirts may go by other names as well, but they all provide more or less the same results. They can be used when you are able to observe your dog; however, they should not be used on dogs who can’t be watched while wearing them. As a result, a thunder shirt shouldn’t be used if your dog is crated away in their safe space and not being disturbed too often.

Behave Normally

Dogs are in-tune with their owners, and if you’re coming across as nervous or scared, your dog will pick up on this. Try to behave normally and do not act as though you’re worried for your pet when fireworks go off. It is okay to speak to your dog in soothing tones, but don’t overdo it or your pup may realize you’re afraid, too.

In mild to moderate cases of firework fear, dogs may calm down simply from seeing their owners going about their business as usual. Even in more serious cases, dogs may feel some sense of calm when you behave normally.

Consider Medication

In a worst-case scenario, your dog may need anxiety medication to deal with fireworks. Although you do not have to jump to this option right away, it is something to keep in mind for severe instances.

Some dogs may only need anxiety medication when fireworks are going to occur, such as known holidays and celebrations in your area. Others, however, may respond better if they stay on medication for their nerves at all times. As previously mentioned, medication should never be the first option and should be thought about and discussed carefully with your dog’s veterinarian before any decision is made.

Remember to never give your dog human medication and never self-medicate your dog without getting a prescription from the vet first. Human dosages and animal dosages are much different, and a dog could suffer organ damage or even death if given the wrong dosage of medication meant for humans.

Talk To Your Vet

Now that you’ve had a chance to brush up on some of the best ways to help your dog deal with fireworks, you should be more prepared for summer and beyond. However, if you have any further questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your vet for specific advice about your dog’s individual needs.

Your vet may recommend medication for your pet or may have some other suggestions to try that aren’t listed here. Since your vet knows your dog personally, it is best to always follow veterinary advice when dealing with stress, anxiety, and any other problems your dog may face as well.

For those in the Plymouth Meeting, PA region, The Village Vets is here for any questions or concerns. Please feel free to reach out at (484) 820-1700.