Fireworks present various dangers to animals.
Getty Images
As 2022 draws to a close, family and friends can look forward to celebrating the New Year with fireworks. Many pets, however, may not appreciate the loud noises or bright lights that accompany the festive event.
Because these festivals can be more than a nuisance to animals, Dr. Audrey Cookprofessor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains some of the dangers of using fireworks and solutions to keep animals calm throughout the night.
Many pet owners have witnessed their pets’ frightened reactions to the loud popping sounds that occur when fireworks explode; These can be dangerous for pets, as dogs that are confined to a crate or small room can injure themselves trying to escape the noise, Cook explained. Alternatively, if dogs are not confined to a small space, they may run away or hide when frightened by sounds.
Additionally, the chemicals that help fireworks explode and produce the colors we see can be left behind in the smoke from the fireworks, which if inhaled can irritate people’s airways. an animal.
Cook pointed out, however, that the greatest danger do-it-yourself fireworks pose to our pets occurs before and after the explosion.
“The greatest danger is direct contact, when an animal may chew an unlit firework, pick up a lit one, or touch hot materials after detonation,” Cook said. “Those are pretty much the same concerns you would have with young children and fireworks.”
If fireworks are used to celebrate the New Year, all firework debris should be picked up as soon as possible so animals are not exposed to chemicals that contaminate the waste.
Because there are no safe fireworks when pets are around, Cook recommends owners leave pets at home and go to a professionally-sponsored show to see fireworks. fireworks for the New Year.
“Do-it-yourself fireworks are a hazard to you, your family, your pets, wildlife and the environment,” Cook explained. “The best thing to do is to keep fireworks away from pets.”
As an alternative to fireworks for pets, Cook suggests staying with family and taking precautions to minimize the light and sound of nearby fireworks, especially for pets known to be anxious.
“Draw the curtains and leave the lights on to minimize the effect of fireworks and turn on the music or TV to drown out the noise,” Cook said. “It helps if the person assisting is very down-to-earth and doesn’t make a big effort to reassure an anxious dog, as this reinforces the sense of danger.”
Some dogs may be more anxious than others, especially if they are used to getting very upset after hearing loud noises. If your pet reacts negatively to loud noises and you live in an area where fireworks regularly go off on New Year’s Eve, Cook recommends talking to your veterinarian to determine if medications can help reduce the noise. your dog’s anxiety.
“There are a lot of medications that can be safely administered by owners at home,” Cook said. “However, it would be worth trying a dose at home on a routine weekend to assess the effect of the drugs.”
Cook also recommends that pet owners familiarize themselves with the recommendations of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To animals before any celebration celebrated with fireworks.
Whether it’s watching fireworks or enjoying a New Year’s Eve party, owners need to make sure their pet is safe from potential harm, so you and your friend on all fours can welcome the New Year with ease.
Pet Talk is a service of the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. The stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics can be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.
0 Comments