Fireworks. They can be magical for human spectators but stressful for four-legged companions. The loud noise of fireworks is known to startle pets, causing them to panic, bite someone, or even run away. Local animal experts say all of these scenarios are preventable by planning ahead in the days before and the weekend following the 4th of July. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereJorge Ortega, the director of Guilford County Animal Services, says the 4th of July and the following days are some of the animal shelter’s highest intake times. WXII also spoke with local pet owners. One pet owner, David Bowen, has two small dogs just over a year old. He says his dogs handle fireworks pretty well.“They were both pretty well-tempered,” Bowen said. But other pet owners said they aren’t that lucky. Dawn and Randy Belton have owned their dog, Bella, for three years. Dawn says as a puppy, Bella would become hysterical when fireworks would begin.“She was terrified,” Belton said. “Absolutely terrified.”Like many other dogs, Belton says Bella’s first instinct was to bolt for the door.“She’ll start barking like crazy and run to the door,” she said. “Of course, we don’t let her out, but she just doesn’t know what’s going on, so it startles her.”Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.When doors and gates aren’t locked, animal experts say that’s when scared dogs escape from home. Ortega recommends keeping your pet’s area secured, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. “Make sure they are secure if they are going to be outdoors that the fence or the yard or their enclosure is secure so they are not escaping if they do get scared from the loud noises,” Ortega said. “Or if they’re indoors that they’re in a safe place where they’re not going to harm themselves if they get scared.”Ortega and other experts recommend putting a collar on your pets with identifying information on it. This can be done with a tag or by writing the information on the collar itself. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsIf a pet is microchipped, animal experts say to update all contact information with the microchip company to ensure that if the pet is lost, it can be relocated to its home. According to Ortega, the days leading up to the 4th of July are also a good time to contact your veterinarian. If a pet is especially nervous, a vet may prescribe medication or other treatment to keep it calm while fireworks go off. Pet owners and animal experts alike agreed that showing your pups or feline friends a little extra love and attention is another great way to keep pets calm.“Give them love and affection like any other pet,” Bowen said. “I think holding her, trying to comfort her,” Belton said. “We even wrap a blanket thing around her or something.”“If you are going to be indoors with your pet, definitely keep them with you because that’s going to reduce their anxiety,” Ortega said. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love | Trending Stories
Fireworks. They can be magical for human spectators but stressful for four-legged companions.
The loud noise of fireworks is known to startle pets, causing them to panic, bite someone, or even run away.
Local animal experts say all of these scenarios are preventable by planning ahead in the days before and the weekend following the 4th of July.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
Jorge Ortega, the director of Guilford County Animal Services, says the 4th of July and the following days are some of the animal shelter’s highest intake times.
WXII also spoke with local pet owners. One pet owner, David Bowen, has two small dogs just over a year old. He says his dogs handle fireworks pretty well.
“They were both pretty well-tempered,” Bowen said.
But other pet owners said they aren’t that lucky. Dawn and Randy Belton have owned their dog, Bella, for three years. Dawn says as a puppy, Bella would become hysterical when fireworks would begin.
“She was terrified,” Belton said. “Absolutely terrified.”
Like many other dogs, Belton says Bella’s first instinct was to bolt for the door.
“She’ll start barking like crazy and run to the door,” she said. “Of course, we don’t let her out, but she just doesn’t know what’s going on, so it startles her.”
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
When doors and gates aren’t locked, animal experts say that’s when scared dogs escape from home. Ortega recommends keeping your pet’s area secured, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
“Make sure they are secure if they are going to be outdoors that the fence or the yard or their enclosure is secure so they are not escaping if they do get scared from the loud noises,” Ortega said. “Or if they’re indoors that they’re in a safe place where they’re not going to harm themselves if they get scared.”
Ortega and other experts recommend putting a collar on your pets with identifying information on it. This can be done with a tag or by writing the information on the collar itself.
Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts
If a pet is microchipped, animal experts say to update all contact information with the microchip company to ensure that if the pet is lost, it can be relocated to its home.
According to Ortega, the days leading up to the 4th of July are also a good time to contact your veterinarian. If a pet is especially nervous, a vet may prescribe medication or other treatment to keep it calm while fireworks go off.
Pet owners and animal experts alike agreed that showing your pups or feline friends a little extra love and attention is another great way to keep pets calm.
“Give them love and affection like any other pet,” Bowen said.
“I think holding her, trying to comfort her,” Belton said. “We even wrap a blanket thing around her or something.”
“If you are going to be indoors with your pet, definitely keep them with you because that’s going to reduce their anxiety,” Ortega said.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |
Trending Stories
