Calming Your Dog For A Stress-free Holiday Celebration

Fireworks and Pets: How We Help Our Dog Stay Calm on the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is almost here! That usually means fun times with friends and family, maybe going to the lake or river, or just having a BBQ at home.

But while we’re having fun, some pets are having a really hard time.

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At our house, our Great Dane, Penny, gets super scared during fireworks. Even the small pops that start around 9 p.m. make her nervous. She starts panting, pacing, and sometimes she even panics.

What you can do to make it 'a little better.'

We talked to our vet about it, and they gave us some medicine that helps calm her down. We hide the pill in a little peanut butter (which she loves), and that really helps.

We also make sure she has a quiet place to go. Penny likes my office in the basement. We close the blinds, turn down the lights, and leave the radio on low. It’s a safe, calm space for her, and she usually goes there by herself when she hears loud noises.

If your pet is crate-trained, you can put some of their favorite toys or blankets inside and cover the crate with a blanket to block out light and sound. That can make them feel more protected.

Fireworks are fun for people, but they can be really scary for pets. If your dog or cat gets scared, you're not alone.

Do you have a pet that doesn’t like fireworks? I’d love to hear what you do to help them.

Next week, I’ll share how we handle thunderstorms—another thing that makes Penny nervous. Stay tuned.

merch