BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Independence Day celebrations are upon us, but while fireworks may be fun, that’s not the case for many of our furry friends.
Jenn Kerns lives in Burlington with her dog Charlie, an 11-month-old German short hair pointer. Even though it’s Charlie’s first Fourth of July, she says she won’t be taking any chances. “We will be closing the windows, probably close the blinds so she is not seeing fireworks. Turning on the A/C, putting on a movie, just letting her sit on the couch with us and get under some blankets, create a little safe cozy situation for her,” Kerns said.
And that’s just what vets recommend. Adrienne Snider with the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association, says if you’re headed out to see fireworks, leave the pets at home. Or if there is a private show going on near your house, a quiet room with some background noise will do just the trick.
“Whether that’s like having them in a room that they are comfortable in in your house or if you have a dog that is crate trained and comfortable in the crate,” Snider said. “It can definitely be a scary situation for a lot of pets, with loud noises that they are not used to hearing on a regular basis.”
Snider says if you do end up bringing your dog to the fireworks, make sure you have a strong leash and keep them close.