Page 25 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - July 2019 - 26-07

Senior Times - July 2019
Page 25
ENJOY A SAFE SUMMER WITH YOUR PETS
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
Taking extra care steps for your pets will help keep them stay safe all summer and through special family events and holidays like Independence Day.
Our pets are more sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights, and strong smells than we are, so summer-time festivities can quickly become frightening.
with identification tags at all times. Indoor- only animals can become so frightened during fireworks displays that they take des- perate measures to escape the noise, such as breaking through window or door screens.
If you find a lost pet, either take her to the address on the tag or bring her to the local animal shelter so she can be reunited with her family.
Make sounds less scary to your dog
Firecrackers, thunder, and other loud, out- of-nowhere sounds often leave dogs fright- ened and wanting to flee to a safer place.
As an extra precaution, it’s a good idea to have your pet micro chipped, with your current contact information registered with the chip company. If your pet does become lost, contact your local animal control and surrounding shelters immediately.
These types of fears may develop even if your dog has had no traumatic experiences associated with the sound. Many fear-related problems can be successfully resolved. If left untreated, however, your dog's fearful behav- ior will probably get worse.
Unfortunately, escape and/or destructive behavior can be a problem for you and could also result in physical injury to your dog.
Your dog may also begin to associate a particular startling noise with other things in her environment, and she may grow afraid
of these other things because she associates them with the loud noise that frightens her. For example, dogs who are afraid of thunder may later become afraid of the wind, dark clouds, and flashes of light that often precede the sound of thunder.
Keep all pets safely confined indoors on the 4th and the few days before and after your festivities, when people may be inclined to set off fireworks. There are many family and group activities that are perfect for pets, but a public fireworks display or any other type of gathering where fireworks will be
set off usually isn’t one of them. It’s best to leave your pets safely indoors, preferably with a radio or TV turned on to dampen jarring noises. Pets usually kept outdoors should be brought inside as an extra measure of safety. And if you must take your pet with you to an Independence Day event, keep them leashed and under your direct control at all times.
Outlet for anxiety: destruction and escaping
Many pets can become overwhelmed by the noise and commotion associated with parties, parades, and fireworks displays. Your pet may become frightened and try to flee the sights and sounds. This is so common that many pets get lost and end up in animal shelters. Not surprisingly, shelters report a dramatic increase in lost pets during the hol- iday. You can help prevent this by providing them with a safe, secure place to stay while you enjoy these kinds of activities.
Dogs who do not like the sound of fire- crackers may become fearful of the children who have the firecrackers or may become afraid to go in the backyard, if that's where they usually hear the noise.
Consult your veterinarian if your pet is distressed by loud noises like fireworks dis- plays. Your veterinarian may be able to rec- ommend medications and techniques to help alleviate your pet’s fear and anxiety.
In addition to escaping your pet may choose destruction to reduce her fear. For some dogs, just the activity or physical exertion associated with one of these behaviors may be an outlet for their anxiety.
Ensure your pet is wearing a collar and identification tag with current contact infor- mation so you can be reunited quickly if your pet does escape. All pets, even those kept indoors full-time, should wear collars
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