For some the holiday season is their favorite time of the year. Others, including most dogs, would rather skip it all together. Here are some tips to help keep your dog calm, making for an easier New Year’s Eve for both of you.

7 Safety & Calming Tips For Dogs During Fireworks

  1. Provide A Safe Hiding Place: Make sure your pets are safe and sound by keeping them indoors. Dogs who are fearful of fireworks and left outside might panic and escape a fenced yard. Consider keeping them in a kennel in the quietest room of the house.
  2. Make Your Pet Feel Secure: Close the curtains and consider draping a blanket over their kennel to dampen noises from the outside. You can further drown out any fireworks noise with the sound of a radio or television in the same room as the kennel. Never force your dog to go outside.
  3. Feed Your Pet On Time: During the fireworks, your pet may become unsettled and not want to eat anything. Try to feed your pet a while before you expect any disturbances, as once the fireworks start your pet may be too anxious to eat.
  4. Remain Calm: Try to act and behave as normal, as your pet will pick up on any odd behavior. Remain calm, happy and cheerful as this will send positive signals to your dog.
  5. Keep A Collar On Your Dog: Just in case your pet does accidentally escape, make sure your dog is wearing a collar with his/her name and your phone number(s) on it. Make sure they are microchipped too, as if they do escape without a collar on this will ensure you are reunited as quickly as possible.
  6. Make Sure You Have Recent Pictures: Just in case your pet does accidentally escape, make sure you have recent pictures of him/her. This way, it will be easier for other people to help find and locate your dog after he/she has ran off.
  7. Medication For Dogs: Certain drugs can be useful but must be given early so they take effect before any noise occurs. If you think your dog may benefit from medication during fireworks, talk with a veterinarian to discuss your options.

​In the unfortunate event that your dog does escape and you cannot find him/her, you can post his/her picture and some brief information (name, date and time when he/she escaped, area from where he/she escaped, etc) on the Facebook page of Curaçao Pets Lost & Found.

We wish you and your pet a new year full of joy, happiness and lots of playtime!

Image courtesy of www.dogstrust.org.uk.