Fourth of July fireworks: Pets beware

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Fireworks are a great way for people to finish off the Fourth of July. But animal lovers say more pets run away that night than any other -- spooked by the explosions overhead.

The Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., has some suggestions on protecting your pet:

1. Don’t take them to fireworks displays. (Well, duh.)

2. Bring them inside before the fireworks begin. (Well, duh No. 2.)

3. Create an enclosed ‘safe place’ for your pet to hide when the noise starts.

4. If you leave your pet inside, leave a radio or TV on to create some normal background sounds.

And if you can, now’s the time to have your pet microchipped, just in case.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

In the meantime, Karen Sueda, DVM, a member of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists who works at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, has some additional thoughts below.

Keep some really tasty treats on hand. This would be a good time to offer your dog a long-lasting treat that he really likes. That way he has something to work on while the fireworks are going on.

You can also buy ‘Comfort Zone for Dogs’ at the pet store. This is a synthetic form of the pheromone that lactating females release to keep their puppies calm. Some studies have indicated that this product helps keep adult dogs calm as well. You can spray it on his bed or plug the diffuser into an outlet in the room where he will be spending most of his time. Depending on whether he will tolerate it, you can also stuff some cotton in his ears. Sometimes this helps a lot.

Try not to give your dog too much attention when he’s anxious. Do your best to wait until he’s calmed down on his own and then ‘reward’ him with attention once he’s relaxed. This prevents reinforcement of anxious behavior. You can also talk to him in a happy, upbeat tone and try to engage him in activities that he likes -- play with a favorite toy, work on some commands, etc.

Exercise your dog before the fireworks start. This may tire him out as well as allow him to eliminate. He may not want to go outside to use the bathroom once the fireworks are in full force.

Your dog may also want to hide. You can prepare a safe bed or den area in a room ahead of time. Sometimes dogs choose their own hiding places -- common ones are in the bathroom or in a closet. As long as he isn’t injuring himself, allow him to go to his ‘happy place.’ Give him lots of praise for being brave and coming out on his own, though!

Of course, these tips are for dogs that are only mildly fearful. Owners of dogs that are extremely anxious, panicked, destructive, aggressive or prone to injuring themselves or others should contact their veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist for additional help. Sedatives may help but are only a temporary solution. Some can even make things worse. There are many things we can do ahead of time to accustom dogs to fireworks so they don’t have to go through another scary fireworks season. And remember, in the L.A. area, fireworks aren’t just confined to the Fourth of July.