When Kelley Gandurski was growing up, any time her two large golden retrievers, Dina and Mindy, heard thunder or fireworks they would cower terrified in the bathtub.
When this happened, she would cuddle with them, play soft music and give them their favorite toys to calm them down.
As the Fourth of July draws near, booms, sizzles and pops echoing all over the city send many pets into a panic. July 5 is one of the busiest days of the year for many animal shelters, as cats and dogs run away to escape unfamiliar loud noises.
Gandurski, director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, and other animal welfare experts in Chicago said there are several ways pet owners can keep pets safe and calm during fireworks season.
Before the Fourth
Some pet owners play YouTube videos of fireworks noises around their animals ahead of big holidays. Gradually increasing the volume over time desensitizes animals to the sound and helps with anxiety during the actual event, said Colette Bradley, spokeswoman for the Anti-Cruelty Society, an open admission shelter in Chicago that will take an animal given up by an owner, at no charge.
However, this technique can take months to take effect.
Prevention is key
Do your best to prevent your dog from hearing the fireworks in the first place, said Paula Fasseas, founder of PAWS, the largest shelter in Illinois. Before the fireworks begin, make an effort to minimize the noise as much as possible by closing and locking doors and shutting curtains.
“Dog hearing is so much better than ours,” Bradley said. “Even if you can’t hear the fireworks, your dog may be able to.”
Equip your space
Gandurski recommends creating a peaceful, soothing environment for your pet during the evening of the Fourth. This can be achieved with music, aromatherapy using essential oils or playing a game.
Some dogs, like Dina and Mindy, prefer to hide in a corner or underneath an enclosed space. Consider keeping your pet in an interior room or basement. Wherever your pet is riding out the patriotic storm, make sure doors are locked and screens are rip-free.
“Do your best to keep them inside and away from the noise,” Gandurski said.
Distraction, distraction, distraction
Volunteers will be on hand at the city shelter throughout the day on the Fourth to keep the dogs housed there preoccupied, said Jennifer Schlueter, assistant to the agency’s director.
They will try to tire the dogs out with activities and toys before the fireworks begin.
“The idea is to keep them calm by keeping them physically and mentally stimulated,” Schlueter said.
Some useful tools
For stressful situations, items such as the ThunderShirt — which uses pressure to calm a dog’s nervous system — or a tight T-shirt may be useful, Bradley said.
Fasseas, founder of PAWS, recommends using CBD oil to alleviate pets’ anxiety. The oil can be given to both dogs and cats orally.
There are also calming sprays, such as ThunderSpray, available.
Consult the experts
If in doubt, concerned pet owners should always contact their veterinarian for advice about nervous pets, said Donna Solomon, a local vet and owner of Animal Medical Center of Chicago.
“Some highly anxious pets will be so distraught that no person or calming space is sufficient,” Solomon said. “These pets may injure themselves as they try to escape from the sound or experience traumatic psychological stress. Behavior modification techniques and desensitization can be terrific if done well in advance of the stressful event. But sometimes drugs are essential for the well-being of our pets during a stressful event, like the fireworks.”
Solomon prescribes anti-anxiety drugs to both dogs and cats “every day” to help relax the animals.
“Chicago pets in particular are very anxious,” Solomon said.
She recommends using medication for isolated instances of pet anxiety for immediate relief, as desensitization techniques can take months to achieve results. In some cases, drugs can prevent an animal from having a panic attack or engaging in destructive behavior such as self-mutilation.
Be prepared for the worst
Make sure your pet has a microchip and tag, and that each is updated with current contact information, so any shelter can identify your animal.
If your pet does escape, first check the city shelter. As each pet comes through the door, the Chicago Pet Harbor online page is updated with a picture of the animal. Animal Care and Control can be reached at 312-747-1406.
This story has been updated to change the characterization of the Anti-Cruelty Society. It is an open-admission shelter that takes any animal given up by an owner, at no charge.
