BALTIMORE — There’s a warning about celebratory fireworks and your pets.
Many dogs and cats may experience noise anxiety. Some signs pet owners should look for include if your pet is hiding, pacing, panting, or drooling a lot.
The best thing you can do is to keep them inside and try to make them feel comfortable.
Dr. Marianne Bailey, a veterinarian at the Queenstown Veterinary Hospital said safety is the top priority.
“A lot of pets get scared and if you go outside and the doors open to see the fireworks, they're going to run. They don't know where they're running but they're scared and they're going to try and get away so make sure they have collars on for sure, so if they do get out if they find them, they can call you and get them back home safely. It'd be a great idea to have a leash on them or even just put them in their crate, somewhere safe you just don't realize how quickly they can get out especially when they're scared.”
According to Dr. Bailey, any fear response goes away after the noise stops. However, it may linger for an hour or so after the event.
If your pet gets stressed around loud noises, there are medications your vet may be able to prescribe to help them relax.
