Eight Ways to Keep Dogs Calm During Fireworks and Thunderstorms

1. Don’t Bring Dogs Outside When Fireworks Are Going Off

Unless you’re trying to win a bad ideas contest, don’t take your dog to a fireworks show. Unfortunately, your neighbors might be having a show of their own. 

To keep dogs calm during fireworks, do evening routines ahead of time. Go for a walk (the longer, the better) before it gets dark. You should also feed your dog dinner before it becomes night. And take them out for their evening potty break after the fireworks end.

2. Make Them a Safe Space

Play it safe by putting their bed or crate somewhere that’s quiet and away from windows. If you’re going to crate, keep the door open. Your dog doesn’t want to feel trapped. You also shouldn’t lock them up in a room. A dog should feel free to decide where it’s safe for them.

3. Fight Noise with Noise

Mozart to the rescue. Play music, turn on the TV or leave a fan on when thunder is booming and fireworks are exploding. These sounds can help drown out scary outdoor noises. Classical music seems to work best for keeping dogs calm during fireworks and thunderstorms.

4. Close the Curtains

A curtain call could help because flashing bright lights can be distressing to your dog. In addition to closing the curtains, you might also want to turn on a few more lights in the house. This could help minimize the scary effects of lightning or fireworks.

5. Escape-Proof Your Home and Yard

The quickest way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach. So, this year, give your dog a gift that touches their heart and makes their tail wag in anticipation! From meat-flavored dog bones to dog-friendly Christmas cookies, your dog will be drooling over these holiday treats.

6. Ensure Your Dog Is Wearing a Pet ID Tag

Worst case scenario: your dog still found a way to escape when the fireworks or thunder started. Best case scenario: your dog was wearing their collar and ID tag. A reflective collar would be even better for any nighttime searches.

7. Use Calming Aids and Products

Help is on the way in the form of calming vitamins, supplements and CBD edibles. Calming diffusers, collars and sprays emit pheromones that take your dog back to their puppy days, helping them feel more relaxed. The gentle pressure of an anxiety jacket like a ThunderShirt mimics the comforting feeling of being swaddled in a blanket.

8. Talk with Your Dog’s Veterinarian

A stress-reducing prescription medication may be just what the doctor ordered. Consulting with your veterinarian can help determine the best anxiety or calming medication for your pet's specific needs. They may also have some therapeutic options for your dog as well.

Gear up for a worry-free summer with the Pet Supplies Plus Pharmacy, Powered by Vetsource, your go-to destination for a comprehensive selection of calming and anxiety medications tailored to keep your pet happy and healthy throughout the season.

Fireworks and storm season is probably a dog parent’s least favorite time of the year. (Flea and tick season would disagree.) These eight tips won’t change that. They can, however, help your dog feel less anxious so they can focus on being the goodest boy or girl.