برچسب: Pets

How to Keep Your Pets Calm and Safe

Fireworks can feel like Armageddon for our pets, and there’s solid science behind their fear. Pets, like dogs and cats, have way more sensitive hearing than us. Imagine hearing everything on full blast! That’s their world when fireworks go off. The loudness combined with the unpredictability of fireworks makes them especially scary for our animals.

Why Are Dogs and Cats Afraid During Fireworks?

While we might just hear a bang, pets are hearing layers of sounds and often can’t tell where they’re coming from. This can trigger their innate fight-or-flight response. Noise anxiety in pets isn’t just about the noise—it’s also about feeling trapped, unable to escape whatever’s causing the commotion.

Some pets may be particularly wired to be scared of loud noises, thanks partly to their genetic makeup. Plus, a pet’s previous experiences play a role. If they’ve had a bad experience with loud noises, they’re more likely to be anxious when fireworks light up the sky.

Signs Your Pet is Stressed Out Due to Fireworks

But how do you know when your pet’s really freaking out? Look for signs like shaking, panting, drooling, or hiding. Sometimes, they might even try to escape the noise. Knowing these signs early means you’re better equipped to handle your pet’s anxiety and keep them calm when the next big bang comes.

How to Calm Your Pets During Fireworks

Creating a safe, cozy space for your pet can work wonders to ease their nerves. Think of it as their personal chill-out zone. You could use a quiet room or even a cozy corner draped with blankets to muffle the sound and provide comfort.

Music isn’t just for humans. A little background noise, whether it’s classical tunes or specially-designed pet-calming tracks, can help mask the bursts of fireworks outside. It helps in creating a soothing vibe, making them feel less tense.

You can find suitable music for your pets during fireworks on YouTube.

Ever heard of pheromone diffusers? These gadgets release calming scents that can reassure your anxious pet. It’s like giving them a big, invisible hug when everything gets too noisy. You can find these on Amazon.

If you’re up for a bit of training, gradual desensitization works by getting pets slowly used to the sound of fireworks before the actual event. Practicing commands and rewarding calm behavior also works as a practical approach to manage anxiety.

My recommendation for effective, inexpensive dog training is, The Dog Calming Code.

My recommendation for cat training is this step-by-step cat training eBook.

Should I Give My Pet Medication or CBD for Fireworks Anxiety?

Sometimes the fear can be overwhelming for pets, and that’s when medication might come into play. There are two main routes: traditional prescription meds and natural remedies like CBD.

Consult your veterinarian first! Always remember, safety first. No matter what you choose, it’s crucial to check with your veterinarian to find out the correct dosing and any possible side effects. Not everything that works for one pet will work for another, so personalization is key.

Prescription meds can provide relief but should be a topic of conversation with your vet. They’ll advise on what’s safe and effective for your pet’s specific needs.

If you’re considering a more natural route, CBD is getting lots of nods these days. It’s derived from hemp and won’t make your pet high, but it’s been found to calm those jitters. To be clear, I’m not recommending this. Please talk with your vet!

Finally, it helps to hear from others in the same boat. Many pet parents share success stories about how either medications or CBD have made fireworks less of a nightmare for their little buddies.

Dogs and Fireworks: Summer Safety Tips

Watch my video with tips from Professional Dog Trainer, Doggy Dan’s free tutorial about Dog Summer Safety Tips – and check out the full tutorial – it’s free!

Cats and Fireworks – How to Keep Them Calm and Safe!

Watch this video from cat expert, Jackson Galaxy, about keeping your cat calm and safe during fireworks!

More Summer Safety Tips for Pets

Check out more posts for tips on how to keep your pets safe this summer!

Hot Weather Safety Tips for Pets: Avoid Heat Stroke in Pets

How to Help Anxious Pets During Thunderstorms

Fireworks & Pets: An Explosion of Fear for Animals

I Donate to Animal Charities

Thanks so much for reading my post! I hope you and your pets have a happy and safe summer.

You should know I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase using links within my posts, at no extra cost to you. I donate 10% of my profits to the animal charities shown here.

Thanks again for visiting, and please share this post with fellow pet lovers and on social media. Thank you! Debra

Check Out My Other Posts About Pet Care Here

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11/06/2025
Homeward Pet | Help other pets like Kaia get the care they deserve

Help other pets like Kaia get the care they deserve

Posted on: May 6th, 2025 @ 9:00 am, By
Kim Leary

In 2018, Kaia arrived at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, and it didn’t take long before she found a loving home. However, when a new baby joined the family, Kaia struggled to adjust. Having a young child in the house proved stressful for Kaia. She became withdrawn, and her reactivity grew as her stress did.

Her loving owners reached out to Homeward Pet. For five years, Homeward Pet Adoption Support provided behavior training, guidance, and support to try to help her thrive with her growing family.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, and although her family loved her deeply, they ultimately made the difficult decision to return her to Homeward Pet. They wanted the best for this sweet girl and hoped Kaia could find a quieter, more predictable home, better suited to her sensitive needs.

Upon Kaia’s return to the shelter, our team worked patiently to match her with a foster home that could gift her with an environment to help her decompress from years of stress. We introduced her to her potential foster family multiple times to ensure a smooth transition.

Unfortunately, the first night in her foster home, Kaia suffered what can only be described as a panic attack. She was so terrified of her new surroundings she tried to escape by throwing herself at walls and out of windows. At midnight, our team received a call from her foster family, who rushed to bring her safely back to the shelter.

After allowing time to settle back into life in the shelter, Kaia underwent a sedated physical exam and extensive testing. The results revealed she was hypothyroid – a condition that can heighten anxiety. With new medication and a treatment plan in place, Kaia miraculously began to seem less stressed.

To ensure she could feel safe and happy in a home again, our team went the extra mile. After a few months of care in the shelter, staff members were able to secure an AirBNB for an overnight to see how Kaia would do in a home environment.

Kaia had a blast – she curled up on the couch with staff, cozied in, and took a peaceful nap. In fact, she felt so at home, she even stole a piece of pizza when she woke from her nap!

Because of your incredible generosity, Homeward Pet was able to provide Kaia with the specialized veterinary and behavioral support she desperately needed to treat and ease her anxiety. Today, Kaia is ready to find her forever family.

Your GiveBIG gift isn’t just a donation. It’s a lifeline for pets like Kaia and so many others still waiting for a second chance.

Take advantage of our match pool and DOUBLE your gift, today! Thank you for being a part of our mission, and for giving animals like Kaia the care they deserve.

Give now. Give hope. GiveBIG.

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07/05/2025
Fun Activities to Do With Your Pets

Spending quality time with your pet is one of the best ways to build a strong, lasting bond—and it’s also a whole lot of fun! Whether you have a playful pup or a curious cat, there are endless activities you …

The post Fun Activities to Do With Your Pets first appeared on People Loving Animals.

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01/05/2025
Benefits of Adopting Pets from Shelters

The pet overpopulation crisis is real, and shelters are bursting at the seams. Every year, millions of animals end up in shelters for various reasons. Adopting a pet means giving one of these animals (and you!) a chance at a …

The post Benefits of Adopting Pets from Shelters first appeared on People Loving Animals.

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16/04/2025
Understanding Your Pet’s Body Language and Emotions

Recognizing the subtle hints in your pet’s facial expressions and body language can unlock a whole new world of understanding. With dogs, for example, a relaxed, open mouth might signal contentment, while a tightly closed mouth can indicate discomfort or …

The post Understanding Your Pet’s Body Language and Emotions first appeared on People Loving Animals.

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15/04/2025
Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Pet’s Birthday

First can I say how fortunate your pet is to have an owner who loves them so much that they’re actually celebrating their birthday? It warms my heart so much when I see people loving their pets and going out …

The post Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Pet’s Birthday first appeared on People Loving Animals.

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14/04/2025
Goodnewsforpets.com: A Legacy of Love for Pets, And Vets Too!

Let the celebration begin! Today is “Love Your Pet Day,” but it is also the 25th Anniversary Day and the official start of the 25th Anniversary Year for Goodnewsforpets.com®. The award-winning site was originally launched on February 20, 2000, at Viticus Group’s Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas.

Lea-Ann Germinder With Lola

“Love Your Pet Day and all the many pet holidays were in the distant future. It was the age of the .coms (as in pets.com). Goodnewsforpets’ parent company, Germinder & Associates, managed the traditional newsroom for WVC and concurrently launched a virtual newsroom. It’s hard to believe now, but he buzz about launching websites was very much like the buzz about AI today, although the pace was not quite as fast, it was still very exciting,” says Editor + Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder.

Original Goodnewsforpets.com Logo

The 2000 site included the Cat Writers’ Association of America (CWA) as the first media partner courtesy of CWA president emeritus Amy Shojai. The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) signed up courtesy of Mordecai Siegal. Steve Dale was the first featured columnist. Later columnists included the late legendaries Mordecai Siegal and Ranny Green. Julie Lux also contributed her talents as an editor in later years. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Fort Dodge Animal Health, the American Animal Hospital Association, and Addison Laboratories were featured on the site. Other exhibitors at the conference could post their news in addition to “.com” companies from the Discovery Zone.

“We’ve attended dozens of veterinary conferences since, written thousands of articles, and posted an equal number of press releases. My special favorite still is the guest column interview. Now, most of my time is focused on responsible AI research, but I have learned so much from building a website with an incredible team from scratch. In particular, I thank the incomparable Shelli Manning and Amy Davis, the team who helped launch the site with me,” said Germinder.

Today, the core mission of providing “good news” for pets remains unchanged. Some content is sponsored, some are labeled Chewy affiliate content, and some is posted as a service to the veterinary community and pet-owning public.

“Before I launched Germinder + Associates, my team and I at another agency had launched a pet dental website for the “Pets Need Dental Care, Too” campaign for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the dental groups. The news hook at the time was we had a website. When I launched Germinder & Associates in 1998, we had several animal health clients, so it made sense to launch a website. However, I could never have imagined all the incredible experts I’ve had the honor to interview and the stories we’ve been able to share. I hope to share many more as our 25th anniversary year unfolds, “said Germinder.

Thank you to our Goodnewsforpets.com community, the sponsors and partner organizations, and our columnists and writers over the years. We share this celebratory day and year with you. #Goodnewsforpets25

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13/04/2025
AVMA Recommends Wellness Visits and Keeping Your Pets Safe
With spring in full bloom, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reminding pet owners that warmer weather and outdoor activities come with seasonal risks for pets. From toxic plants to parasites, springtime can pose a variety of dangers—but with a little preparation, pet owners can keep their animals healthy and safe all season long.

Dr. Sandra Faeh, 2024-2025 AVMA President

“Spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air with our pets,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA. “But as flowers bloom and temperatures rise, we also see an increase in pet exposures to harmful plants, lawn and garden products, and parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Taking some simple precautions now can help prevent emergency trips to the veterinarian later.”

Common springtime threats

Spring hazards can be found both inside and outside the home. Examples include:
- Plants and flowers: Many popular spring plants, such as lilies, tulips, oleander, and sago palms are toxic to pets if ingested. Certain lilies, in particular, can be highly toxic and fatal for cats even in small amounts.
- Lawn and garden products: Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides may help your yard thrive, but they can be highly toxic to pets. Always store these products safely and follow manufacturer directions carefully when applying them.
- Allergies: Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies. If your pet is scratching more than usual or showing signs of skin or ear infections, talk to your veterinarian.
- Parasites: Rising temperatures mean an increase in the number of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes in the environment, which can transmit serious diseases to pets, including heartworm, mange and Lyme disease. Make sure your pet is on year-round preventive medication and talk to your veterinarian about specific parasitic threats in your area.
- Spring cleaning: Household cleaners, even those labeled “natural,” can pose serious threats to pets. When cleaning, keep pets away from freshly treated surfaces until they’re dry, and store all products in a safe and secure location inaccessible to your pets. In addition, spring cleaning often leads to open windows and doors, making it easier for curious pets to escape. The AVMA recommends ensuring your pets are microchipped and that their registration information is current. Proper ID tags on collars are also crucial for a quick reunion if a pet gets lost.
While spring offers a great opportunity to spend quality time with your pet, awareness and proactive care are key.

“Veterinarians are your best resource for helping you protect your pets from seasonal risks,” Dr. Faeh said. “We encourage pet owners to schedule wellness visits, stay current on vaccines and parasite prevention, and reach out to your veterinarian with any questions or concerns.”

To learn more about common household hazards for pets, visit the AVMA website [https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/household-hazards].

Source: AVMA
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11/04/2025