Pixel's Top 5 Tips for Keeping Pets Safe & Happy on July 4th

Happy U.S. Independence Day friends! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I'm reprising my role as "Patricia Henry" this Independence Day in honor of the occasion.
The July 4th holiday is perhaps one of the top summer holidays in the U.S. and people absolutely LOVE it! But your pets? Not so much.

Dogs Fear Loud Firework Bangs

Dogs especially have a terrible time in most cases dealing with the loud bangs, hisses and pops that fireworks make. And people love to play with fireworks. According to a recent Time.com article, it is estimated that people spend an average of over $100 getting various fireworks, with many folks spending a LOT more. That is a great amount of scary noise for dogs. We've had people in the neighborhood and around town popping off fireworks for days and so my sisters and I are constantly looking up at in the air, barking at the bangs (that's what I do), or in little Dixie Mae's case, running around like crazy, trying to dig and hide through the tub, wall or floor on her way to China to get away from the scary sounds. All us pups feel like we are under attack, just like our forefather's did back during the Revolutionary War.
Many dogs and cats end up getting so scared, they run out of the house or yard, leap out of their pet parents' arms or break free from leashes and collars, then get lost forever and end up in homeless animal shelters. What a horrible scary thought!!
This year, let's keep our pets extra safe!

Pixel's Top 5 Tips for Keeping Pets Safe:

1. Bring any outside pets indoors during the evening hours and if you hear ANY fireworks going off.
2. Have safe places that your pets can "hide in" such as "blanket/bed caves", special corners made up extra cuddly, or just let them cuddle with you on the couch or chair.
3. Keep the TV on to mute the sound of outside noises, bangs and fireworks.
4. If you open a door, make sure your pet is secure before hand so they do not run outside out of fear.
5.  If you want to play with fireworks, do NOT do so near your pet. Go to a friend's house, or have someone watch your pet at another location where they will not hear it. It's not worth scaring them, just to hear loud bangs. There are quiet fireworks out on the market, and they are actually more colorful I hear. What a cool idea!

One extra note for comforting a scared pet:  

Use of a warming/heating blanket, or putting blankets in the dryer to warm them up can be extra soothing when cuddling your scared pet.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July, and I hope you pets enjoy it too! Just remember to keep their fears in mind, and everyone can have fun.