07/01/2026
Hey everybody! With the Fourth of July coming up — and with some fireworks already starting — we wanted to share a few tips to help pets who struggle with fireworks anxiety.
Now is the time to prepare a calm, safe space inside your home where your pet can relax and stay secure. Loud music, white noise, closed windows, familiar bedding, and comfort items can all help drown out the fireworks and reduce stress. Please note: the Fourth of July is not the day to start crate training. If your pet is not already comfortable in a crate, being placed there during fireworks may make their anxiety worse.
One of the most important things you can do is make sure your pet’s tags and microchip information are up to date. The days around the Fourth are some of the busiest of the year for shelters, and current contact information is one of the best ways to help your pet get reunited with you if they escape.
Some pets may also benefit from anti-anxiety medication. If you would like medication filled, please call us as soon as possible so we have time to prepare it before the holiday. We also recommend doing a test dose ahead of time, following your doctor’s instructions, to see how your pet responds. Some pets may need a different dose or combination to feel comfortable.
We have also seen many pets do well with ThunderShirt products and other calming tools. This post is not sponsored — these are simply products we have seen work for many pets over the years. We do carry some of these items in our hospital if you would like to check them out.
Feel free to share these tips with any pet parent friends who may need them. Seriously, have a happy Fourth — not a terrified Fourth!