Prep Your Pet for the Fourth of July

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The Fourth of July is full of traditions – fireworks, BBQs, picnics, parades, and lots of fun for pet parents. But for animals, especially dogs, it can be a stressful and anxiety filled occasion. All of the noise and happy chaos from these celebrations tends to startle animals and induce overwhelming stress.

Understanding the root cause behind dogs' fear of fireworks is important. Primarily, many dogs have never experienced a positive or neutral encounter with the overwhelming sensory stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, intense burning smells, and the sensation of explosions, that fireworks bring.  

With a little advanced preparation, you can minimize the stress for your pet and create a more comfortable environment for your furry friend to weather the noisy celebrations.  Whether or not you're planning your own celebration, it's important to take precautions to keep your pets safe before, during, and after Fourth of July festivities.  

Start planning days in advance…

  • Ensure your pet is wearing current, legible ID tags.
  • If your pets aren’t microchipped, talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. This is a simple procedure that can greatly improve your chances of finding your dog if he/she gets spooked and runs away.
  • Verify that your contact information in the microchip registry is current.
  • Take a current photo of your pets – toss them a treat to get them to say cheese!
  • Verify your yard is secure enough to contain your pets. If not, fix the possible escape points or better yet, keep them inside during the festivities.
  • Create a quiet haven in your home by placing your pet’s bed in a room without windows or a large closet (leaving the door open) with extra blankets and sheets so they can create a nesting place. You can even toss in an item of your clothing so he/she has the comfort of your smell.  Days before, show your dog this space and encourage him/her to take a nap here.
  • Create a playlist of soothing sounds like white noise, gentle waves crashing, or soft music.  This will help drown out the fireworks explosions.
  • Consider purchasing calming products.  Natural ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, lavender and passion flower are known to be highly effective in calming pets.

    • A calming spray, like lavender or chamomile, can be very effective when applied to their coat or a festive bandana they are wearing. When using calming products, it’s important to set yourself and your companion up for success. Start about a week before to ease them into a routine with the products. 

    • CBD is great at helping relieve stress and anxiety.  And you have options - chewable treats, peanut butter, oil, and powder.  If your pet hasn't tried CBD before, allow about a week beforehand to determine the appropriate starting dose for him/her. Start with half the recommended dose and go from there.  A little can go a long way.

    • For CBD solutions, consider increasing the dosage the day before and continuing through July 5th. This will assist in managing unexpected noise from neighbors who extend their celebrations before and past July 4th.

  • Purchase a thundershirt and have your dog practice wearing it for short periods of time at least a week before – like 15 minute increments once a day.
  • Fill a dispensing puzzle toy like a Woof Pupsicle or KONG the day before so it’s ready when the big bangs start.  For the Pupsicle, the Calming Wellness Pops are the perfect filler for this sort of occasion and you can fill a KONG with something soothing to lick like yogurt, peanut butter or pureed pumpkin and freeze it.
  • Have some training pads accessible – just in case your dog gets overly anxious or can’t be let outside for potty time.

On the day of the celebration…

  • Consider staying home with your furry friends during evening festivities. If you have an anxious pet, being left alone on a normal day might cause some stress but having to endure unexpected loud noises and flashing lights alone at night can take his/her anxiety to an all time high.

  • During the day, take your dog out for some exercise such as a long walk or some time socializing at the dog park. A tired buddy will more likely snooze through those loud noises.

  • Feed your pet a couple of hours before the festivities start. A full belly equals a relaxed and content companion – just like grandpa in the recliner after Thanksgiving dinner.

  • Take your dog out to potty right before it gets dark.

  • Make sure your pet’s safe space is ready and they know where to go.

  • Get that soft music streaming.

  • Put those calming aids to use. It's best to start these about 30 minutes before you expect the festivities to begin.

  • If you have guests over, make sure they know to keep doors leading outside closed so your pet doesn’t do a Houdini and escape!

  • Have those Woof Pupsicles, KONGS and other treat dispensers handy to help distract your pets with something yummy and fun. Frozen treats are great because they encourage licking, which naturally calms a dog.

  • Be prepared to have some extended play time. Try activities that divert their attention, and you can reward them for positive behaviors.

  • If your dog must potty during the celebration, use a well-secured harness and leash to walk him/her outside and stay by his/her side the whole time.  Reassure him/her that everything will be okay.

  • Above all, stay calm with your pet. If they sense you’re upset, this can increase their anxiety and stress. Follow your routine and act naturally. Just give extra ear scratches and belly rubs!

After it’s all over…

  • Check your yard for any debris – we don’t want a curious pet eating or playing with something that could harm them. 
  • Continue use of calming products and CBD if you are in an area prone to extended fireworks celebrations.
  • Pump up the positivity!  Reward your furry companion for being brave during the celebrations with a new treat or toy, extra play time, and lots of extra attention.


And remember – there is probably nothing more soothing to an anxious dog than its parent's touch. Try to identify the signs of anxiety in your dog and nip them in the bud as early as possible by picking them up, cuddling on the couch, or giving them a good long petting session.  With you by their side, your fur baby will feel more relaxed.

With some planning on your part, you can make the Fourth of July a safer and less stressful event for your favorite four-legged family members.

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