Every year around this time, Benji and I have a little tradition. The neighbors fire up the roman candles around 6 PM, and we retreat inside, close the blinds, and call it an early night. I do not mind fireworks from a distance. Benji minds them a lot. If you are a dog parent trying to figure out how to handle 4th of July dog safety this year, you are in the right place.
This is the third time I have written about this topic on the blog, and I will keep writing about it every year, because it is that important. More dogs go missing on July 4th than on any other day of the year. And for a lot of dogs, the hours around fireworks are genuinely terrifying. The good news is there is a lot you can do.
Before we get into it, full disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I have actually looked into or used with Benji.
Why the 4th Is So Hard on Dogs
Dogs have hearing that is significantly more sensitive than ours. What sounds like a fun pop to us can feel like an assault to them. Fireworks are unpredictable, loud, and they smell strange. There is no way to explain to your dog what is happening or when it will stop. That combination is a recipe for panic.
Some dogs pace, pant, or shake. Some try to bolt. Some just go silent and press themselves into a corner. Benji is more of a velcro dog during fireworks season, glued to my side and very uninterested in being brave about it. I respect that.
What I Do With Benji Every Year
Here is the routine we have landed on after a few years of trial and error:
- Walk early in the day, before the noise starts. Tire them out while things are still calm.
- Keep them indoors once fireworks are likely. Close windows and blinds to muffle sound and block flashes.
- Play soothing music or white noise. We use classical music or a nature sounds playlist.
- Stay home if Benji is really struggling. He does better when I am there.
- Make sure your dog is microchipped and ID tags are current. This is non-negotiable. If they bolt, you want every advantage in getting them back.
- If you have to leave, put them in a quiet interior room with familiar bedding and something that smells like you.
→ ThunderShirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket — a snug wrap that mimics being held, which helps a lot of dogs calm down during loud events
Other Calming Options Worth Knowing About
Beyond the basics, a few other things are worth having in your toolkit:
- CBD for dogs — there is growing anecdotal support for CBD helping dogs with situational anxiety. Talk to your vet first, especially if your dog is on any medication.
- Tellington TTouch wraps — a specific style of wrap using light pressure along the body. If the ThunderShirt is not your thing, TTouch is worth looking into.
- Dog Pheromone Calming Diffuser — releases synthetic pheromones that mimic a nursing mother dog. Some dogs respond really well to this.
- Doggie earmuffs — yes, they exist. Not every dog will tolerate them, but for dogs with extreme sound sensitivity they can help muffle the worst of it.
→ Dog Pheromone Calming Diffuser — a pheromone-based option you can use before and during stressful events
The One Thing I Cannot Stress Enough
Microchip your dog. Update the registration. Check that the contact information on file is current.
Shelters see a massive spike in lost and surrendered dogs in the days following July 4th. A scared dog can cover a lot of ground fast, and fences and gates that would normally hold them do not always hold during a full panic. A collar can slip. A microchip cannot.
If you adopted Benji and have not verified your microchip registration, now is the time. It takes five minutes and it matters.
You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle It Alone
If your dog has severe fireworks anxiety, please talk to your vet before the 4th. There are prescription options that can make a real difference for dogs who are truly overwhelmed. There is no prize for doing it the hard way.
For most dogs, a combination of preparation, routine, and staying close is enough to get through the night. Benji and I will be inside binge watching Harry Potter, and I will absolutely be wearing him like a scarf. Happy 4th from our couch.
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. Joan of Bark may earn a small commission on purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.
