The aftermath of the July 4 festivities include cleaning streets and homes, and yes, searching for missing dogs. Most dogs are afraid of fireworks and they hide where they can, away from all the noise.
According to Durango Herald, July 5 is one of the busiest days for U.S. animal shelters. Dogs seek noise-free areas and owners look for them everywhere from the fifth of July onwards.
Durango Herald lists ways from different animal organizations on how to kill the dog search after July 4 by not losing the dog in the first place. These would help save a lot of time and effort for dog owners when their dogs finally learn to conquer their fear of fireworks.
One way is to create dog-friendly refuges that dogs could hide to when they hear fireworks and want to run away. Another is to wear a ThunderShirt, which is a jacket specially designed for dogs to bring peace. Dog owners can also make their dogs take low-dose melatonin supplements that would calm them down.
American Kennel Club recommends to play music, cover any hole that bursts of light may seep through, and make the dog microchipped. The music replaces the noise of fireworks.
Durango Herald reports that if all these ways fail, a recently-approved drug by the FDA, can magically relax dogs even when they hear the noise of fireworks. Sileo, the name of the drug, is an oral gel that will be applied to the dog's gums before fireworks start to fill the silence.
As per Mother Nature Network, Sileo contains dexmedetomidine which is a light to moderate sedative that is also used in humans when they would undergo medical procedures such as colonoscopies. The drug's manufacturer, Zoetis, explains that Sileo works through blocking norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter responsible for the flight-or-fight response.
Once the drug is absorbed by the dog, it will eventually calm down after 30 to 60 minutes. A veterinarian must prescribe the drug before it can be taken by dogs. It costs $30 and can cover for several doses, depending on how heavy the dog is (via Mother Nature Network).
According to Purina.com, the noise of fireworks startles dogs because of their acute hearing that makes them more sensitive to sound than humans. When they hear fireworks, they experience an increase in heart rate, adrenaline and more stress hormones circulate through their bodies.
Know more how to help dogs who are scared of fireworks by watching the video below. Share us your reactions on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
