BOISE — Fireworks are great for celebrating Independence Day, but your four-legged friends might feel otherwise. The loud noises and ka-booms can trigger anxiety in your pets.
Each year the Idaho Humane Society sees an uptick in lost pets around the Fourth of July. Pets who become spooked are likely to run away if they have the chance.
If your pet is not in an enclosed area, such as a bathroom or laundry room, they could slip through an open door or window to escape the noises.
"We always recommend putting the dog in the bathroom or somewhere where you can absolutely shut the door, turning the TV on or having any sort of white noise to drown those fireworks out," Communications Manager for the Idaho Humane Society, Kristine Schellhaas says.
Officials at the Idaho Humane Society say a significant percentage of animals they see around the holiday are dogs, due to the nature of the animal. Still, indoor cats also tend to escape when they become scared.
"If you have indoor cats, make sure your windows are closed. They have been known to push the window screens out, and you'll have to go find your cat, which can be more difficult than trying to find your dog," Schellhaas says.
With most firework shows canceled in the Treasure Valley due to COVID-19, more people will be using fireworks at home. Officials at the Idaho Humane Society are unsure about how many lost pets they will see this year.
"I think it's going to be worse because the population will be lighting off more fireworks at home versus going to see a show," Schellhaas says.
Before fireworks start, it is recommended that you make loud noises are bang pots and pans together while your animal isn't looking to see how they react to the sound.
