How to prepare your pets for fireworks

Dr. Hugh Chisholm says planning ahead can be the key to keeping your pet calm, but it’s difficult when fireworks get set off without warning

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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There are only three days a year when consumer fireworks are permitted in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and one of them is coming up.

If your dog is terrified of the explosions, a retired veterinarian has some advice.

Dr. Hugh Chisholm says don’t take them to events where fireworks will be set off, and make sure they’ve gone out for a walk early so you can be back home and inside before dusk.

“Keep your dog in an area where you can have the windows closed and the curtains drawn so they can’t hear the sound quite as loud or see the flashing,” he suggested.

“Maybe play some light music to try and mask the noise.”

You can also try distracting them with food puzzles or games, and he says dogs that are distressed get thirsty, so make sure your they have plenty of water in their dish.

If your dog’s fear results in some barking, don’t punish them for that, Chisholm tells CityNews Halifax, because that will only make the situation worse. But petting your pup might help sooth them.

“It’s really important for you to remain calm and to project a calm demeanour because your dog will take their clues from you,” he says. “If they see you getting stressed or you’re talking in a stressed voice, then you’re probably going to make things worse.”

You’ll also want to make sure your dog has a proper ID with your phone number around their collar and their microchip information up-to-date in case they run off.

Chisholm says if your vet inserted the microchip, you can probably just contact the clinic when your information changes. If your dog got microchipped before you adopted them, you can check for details in your paperwork or contact the rescue organization to find out how to add a new number or address.

And if your dog gets so stressed that they are harming themselves, it may be time to consider talking to your vet about medications before the next fireworks holiday.

“If your dog is at the point where it’s frantically trying to escape and running into things, or panting to the point of looking like they’re going to pass out, you just can’t settle or distract them because they’re so emotionally upset that you fear for their safety, if you know your dog is going to get to that point then you should be in touch with your vet now to get something to give them,” Chisholm says.

Chisholm says cats are more likely to be okay with fireworks, but if yours isn’t, the same techniques can be used.

“The thing with cats is, if they’re afraid, they typically like to hide,” he explains. “So if they’ve got a cardboard box, a closet, or even underneath the sofa, that might be enough for the average cat to feel safe.”

Chisholm says planning ahead can be the key to keeping your pet calm when when a holiday is approaching, but it’s difficult when fireworks get set off without warning.

He’s also the spokesperson for a group called Fireworks Hurt, which started after a horse had to be put down in January. The animal got spooked by fireworks on News Year’s Eve, ran off and broke its leg.

Fireworks Hurt has an online petition calling for the sale and use of consumer fireworks in the province to be banned altogether. So far, over 15,000 people have signed.

“The incidents of unannounced backyard fireworks are definitely increasing,” Chisholm stated. “There are parts of Nova Scotia where it’s almost every evening, and for pets, horses, and for wildlife as well, it’s out of control.”

“The unannounced noise, the flashing light, it can be terrifying and it can lead to some very serious consequences.”

And that’s not just for animals.

“People with PTSD, dementia, autism,” he added. “For the environment, there can be serious toxins in fireworks.”

Chisholm says his group has repeatedly reached out to government officials and has an active letter writing campaign, but so far, they haven’t heard much back.

“The only response that we’ve gotten is that it’s something they have no plan to do anything about at this time,” he states. “I think they’re hoping we’re just going to fold up our tent and go away, but I guarantee that’s not going to happen.”

“People are fed up and people want something to be done.”

According to the Halifax Regional Municipality noise bylaw, fireworks that generate noise can only be set off by members of the public on Canada Day, Natal Day and New Year’s Eve.

Exemptions can also be granted by HRM for concerts, outside dances, festivals, university orientations, and special events. Applications need to be submitted weeks in advance for approval.

Fireworks are also prohibited under provincial rules any time the burn ban is in effect.

But Chisholm argues the regulations are practically useless.

“Noise bylaws are not a solution because they don’t work … police don’t have the time or inclination to enforce them, and even if they do, when they get to the place fireworks are being set off, the event is over and the people who have done it are long since gone.”

“It’s hard to enforce something that is unenforceable,” he adds. “The way to do it is take those fireworks out of the hands of the people using them indiscriminately and put them back in the hands of the professionals at the scheduled events.”