Dogs & Fireworks
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Dogs & Fireworks
While us humans are enjoying the fireworks this Fourth of July, our dogs may be trembling in fear. Here are some tips to keep "Fido" calm this coming holiday.
Reporter: Jessica Aspiras
Email Address: jessica.aspiras@wilx.com
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The sound of fireworks exploding isn't exactly a pleasant experience for some dogs. In fact it's enough to induce an anxiety attack in many -- including 11-year-old Snickers.

"She usually paces around the house, jumps in the bed with us, sometimes needs to go out and go to the bathroom," says owner Chrissy Hollern.

"They're hearing is more acute than ours. So I think what's loud to us is even more loud to them," explains Dr. Michelle Rutledge-Walker of Banfield the Pet Hospital.

Adds Miller Animal Clinic's Dr. Catherine Westaway, "It's a loud noise that startled them, and they don't know why or where it's coming from and what it's going to lead to next."

If you're dog is already crate-trained, crating him while fireworks are going off may help ease his anxiety.

"Sometimes having the TV on or radio, something, a little more distracting type of noise, on quietly can sometimes help," Dr. Rutledge-Walker says.

"If they have picked somewhere to hide then I would leave them there and not pull them out, because they feel safe in that spot to deal with that situation," advies Dr. Westaway.

Otherwise a veterinarian can prescribe some type of anti-anxiety medication if nothing else works. Because if it's not taken care of early, it could lead to longterm anxiety issues.


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