How to Keep Your Cats and Dogs Calm During Fireworks

Fireworks are a part of many cultures and celebrations, but they can be a major source of stress for our furry friends. If you have a cat or dog, it's important to take steps to keep them calm during fireworks season.

Here are a few tips: (borrowed from the internet)

• Create a safe space. This could be a quiet room in your home, a crate, or even a closet. Make sure the space is dark and has plenty of comfortable bedding. You can also try playing calming music or white noise to help muffle the sound of the fireworks.
• Give them a distraction. A stuffed toy, a puzzle, or a treat can help keep your pet's mind off of the fireworks. You can also try taking them for a walk or playing fetch before the fireworks start, so they're tired and relaxed.
• Stay calm yourself. If you're stressed, your pet will be too. Try to stay calm and act normally, even if you can hear the fireworks going off. You can pet your pet and talk to them in a soothing voice to help them relax.
• Consider using a calming product. There are a number of calming products available for pets, such as calming collars, pheromone diffusers, pet CBD, and calming treats. These products can help reduce anxiety and stress in some pets.
• If your pet is showing signs of severe anxiety, such as panting, shaking, or trying to escape, you may need to consult with your veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe medication or recommend other strategies to help your pet cope with fireworks.

It's also important to remember that feral and stray cats and dogs are especially vulnerable during fireworks season. They may be scared and confused, and they may not have a safe place to hide. If you see a stray animal during fireworks, try to offer them a safe place to stay, such as a garage or a basement. You can also contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization for help.

By following these tips, you can help keep your cats and dogs calm and safe during fireworks season.

I can honestly say from experience, the above tips work. I was able to calm down all 4 of our babies the other day when a neighbor decided to set some fireworks off in his front yard the other day. This was the first time 3 of them had ever heard or seen them and they started to panic. Out came a few treats and a lot of reassuring "it's ok" and turning on some calming sounds. All 3 of these together worked wonders, although we had the pet CBD ready to dispense if needed.

-Jason

First day volunteering at the shelter

 

Today was the first day Erin and I volunteered with Randolph County Animal Services here in North Carolina, and let me start off with saying "It felt amazing".

We are both animal lovers and have been looking for "our place" here in the community we now call home.  Ever since Phantom walked into our lives last November, we knew that this was the place we would call home for a while.  So we started to think about ways to get involved locally and become TRUE residents and not just 'temporary tenants'.  And then we had a feral cat community 'thrust upon us' by way of a neighbor.  Luckily that problem turned into Phantom and his 2 little brothers that we now have.  We immediately started looking for how to handle the colony and found a local rescue, TNR program, the spca, animal services, and humane society.  Now, we volunteer with all of them :) It can be tiring, but so rewarding in the fact that we are helping these beautiful animals that are part of this planet just as much as we are if not more so.  

Back to the topic of the day....

Today, Erin and I ventured to the Animal Shelter for their Adopt and Play Day that they hold every 1st Saturday where you can come in and visit with and potentially adopt a new little friend.  They have several little kitties that will simply melt your heart and there are quite a few of those other little friends that always have it so ruff or is that woof??? Part of what the volunteers get to do is help socialize some of the cats so they can hopefully become adoptable.  Well, this is where I met the cutie in the picture Zira.  We had so much fun playing with a room full of little kittens that were no more than 12-13 weeks old.  We took several of the dogs out for a walk so they could expend some of that held off zoomie action as well.  If we had the property, I'd take them all home with me and yes I mean ALL of them -cats and dogs....

We also got the chance to talk to the director, and I have a feeling, there are many great things in store and I (we) cannot wait to get the ball rolling.

If you're looking for a cute little kitty or a rowdy fur missile and you happen to be in Randolph County NC, head on over to the RCAS and go meet your new best friend or little princess or whatever your heart desires.

While I'm typing this, I'm sitting here thinking about all of the things we did today and how much fun we had with the kitties and the dogs and how I could go on for hours talking about it, but it's getting late and I have our furry bosses begging for some treats and well, they do kinda run things :) 

-jason