Pet Experts Answer If You Should Show Your Dog Fireworks on 4th of July

Watching the fireworks and grilling hot dogs on the Fourth of July is a tradition as old as, well, the Fourth of July! But for our beloved pets, the day we celebrate our nation's independence can be a stressful time. 

The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.

Did you know our canine friends can hear up to four times as well as humans? Thus, pet owners need to take proper precautions on Independence Day. 

To help pet owners navigate Fourth of July's many fireworks shows, PEOPLE gathered expert answers to some of the most-searched questions regarding fireworks and pets, including “Should I show my dog fireworks?”

Dr. Danielle Bernal, a global veterinarian with Wellness Pet, tells PEOPLE that pet owners preparing for the Fourth of July are already on the right track, as identifying your pet's holiday stressors in advance is helpful, since “every pet is unique.” 

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Read on for six tips for providing the entire family, pets included, an enjoyable and safe fireworks-filled Fourth of July.

Should I show my dog fireworks?

While your dog might typically enjoy going for a stroll in the park or playing fetch outdoors, it’s imperative that you leave them at home and inside during fireworks activity.

Pasadena Humane, an animal welfare organization in California, shares, “dogs have extremely sensitive ears and can quickly become terrified and disoriented around fireworks.” 

Instead of submitting your dog to an overwhelming fireworks show, set your canine up in a cozy room with soft, distracting sounds, such as classical music or a soothing television show, when you know there will be pyrotechnic activity nearby.

Should I crate my dog during the fireworks on July Fourth? 

While crating your dog during fireworks is not a must, the Suffolk County SPCA advises sheltering your dog in a “quiet” and “escape-proof area” of your home when fireworks are happening nearby, especially if you know your pet is reactive to loud noises.

For some dogs, a crate may be the perfect place to decompress. Pasadena Humane also recommends keeping your pet in a room of the house with locked windows and doors to prevent escape. Additionally, providing your canine with their favorite toys and blankets can create an even more comforting environment.  

How can I prepare my pet for the Fourth of July and the loud fireworks that come with it? 

Planning is the antidote to ease any pet-related anxiety during the holiday. 

The most important step is to ensure your dog has a microchip and a collar with an ID tag, so that people have the tools to return your dog to you if your pup gets lost during the fireworks chaos. Austin Pets Alive, a nonprofit shelter, shares that microchipped pets are three times more likely to find their way back home if they get lost.

The organization also suggests making an appointment with your vet to refill any calming medications your dog uses, so you have the pills on hand during stressful fireworks shows.

“Walk your dog while it's still light out,” Pasadena Humane says about planning ahead on Independence Day. “Even a dog who's usually relaxed on walks can become extremely fearful around loud noises and potentially pull the leash out of your hand.”

What should I do if my pet gets lost during the Fourth of July fireworks? 

Flashing lights and reverberant noises may send pets into a frenzy over the holiday. According to Dr. Bernal, “More pets get lost on July Fourth than any other day of the year.”  

She adds, “They want to escape — and when they do, they can easily get away.”

Austin Pets Alive shares that you should take the following steps in your pet goes missing on Fourth of July: alert your neighbors and ask if they've seen anything, post clear pictures on social media apps such as Nextdoor, and regularly visit your local shelters' websites — many have a lost and found page. 

Additionally, Pasadena Humane notes that you should register your pet on Petco Love Lost and create a Pawboost alert, which uses social media and rescue squads to help find your lost pet. 

What should I do if I find a lost pet?   

If you happen to stumble across a friendly or frightened dog wandering around on the Fourth of July, the first thing you should do, according to Austin Pets Alive, is walk around the area where you found the dog to see if you can locate the owners.

If you can't find the owners, visit a local animal hospital, fire station, or pet supply store to scan the found pet for a microchip containing their owner's contact information.

Additionally, the organization recommends filing a found pet report at your local city or county shelter. After that, take multiple pictures of the dog and upload them to your area's Lost and Found Pets group on Facebook, Nextdoor, and the Neighbor app.  

Should I give my pet a calming treat or aid during fireworks?

Pasadena Humane shares that toys and other treat dispensers can help distract your dog from the noise. 

“There are many calming treats, diffusers, collars, and more available over-the-counter,” the organization says. “Your pet may also benefit from a Thundershirt, which is a vest that can reduce anxiety in dogs and cats.”

If you plan to try a new product with your pet, make sure to test it before the Fourth of July so you know it will be effective and helpful for your furry friend.

While we stuff our faces with tender and juicy BBQ, with little to no consequences outside of gaining holiday pounds, dogs, on the other hand, can have gastrointestinal problems from BBQ scraps. 

“Keep your dog on a regular diet and be sure to ask your guests not to give table food to your pet!” Suffolk County SPCA says. “Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes and raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.”