Mystique’s Guide to Fireworks, Freak-Outs, and Why Your Dog Needs a Microchip

Hello again, humans. Your favorite feline advisor is back with another round of unsolicited (but clearly needed) advice.

Summer in New York includes the grand spectacle of Fourth of July fireworks. I enjoy watching the lights from my windowsill, but dogs seem to be upset by the noise. In fact, many of them completely fall apart.

Every summer, the team at Inwood Animal Clinic sees stressed-out dogs around the Fourth of July. Panicked dogs can even run away or get hurt, and some of them sadly never make it home.

So today, I’m doing everyone a favor and covering two topics that go hand in hand during fireworks season: noise aversion and microchipping. You’re welcome.

Why do dogs hate fireworks?

To be honest, I find the whole performance a bit much. A few loud bangs, and suddenly an 80-pound Labrador is trying to squeeze behind the toilet? Please.

But I’ll give dogs some credit. They can hear sounds at frequencies and volumes well beyond what people can detect. Your dog can’t predict or prepare for the sudden, random explosions, and they can’t see where the noise comes from. That must be really scary for them.

Veterinary behaviorists call this noise aversion, and roughly one in three dogs deals with it. It’s the dog version of a panic attack. It may look dramatic, but it’s genuine fear, and your dog can’t just “get over it.”

Signs of noise aversion in dogs

Dogs show that they’re afraid in ways that pet owners sometimes misunderstand. If your dog is stressed out by the noise, they may:

• Pant, pace, or drool
• Hide under furniture or cling to you
• Tremble or refuse to eat
• Try to escape the apartment or house
• Have accidents inside

If your dog gets anxious during storms, they could have a similar reaction to fireworks, so it’s good to be prepared.

Helping dogs cope with noise

You can’t exactly explain fireworks to a terrified dog or convince them that the sky is not, in fact, falling. Believe me, I’ve tried. But dogs can sometimes need a little extra care. Here are a few things I’ve heard the vets at Inwood Animal Clinic recommend:

• Create a safe place: Set up a quiet room, ideally without windows, with a comfy bed, favorite toys or treats, and background noise like a TV, fan, or white-noise machine.
• Keep your composure: If you’re anxious, your dog will think something is wrong and become even more afraid of the noise. Stay calm and provide quiet reassurance, however your dog needs it.
• Plan ahead: Don’t wait until after your dog loses their mind to talk to our veterinary team at Inwood Animal Clinic. We’ve got options to help, including anti-anxiety medications, sedatives,  calming supplements, and behavioral strategies. 

The importance of microchipping

Unlike myself, a feline who maintains grace and composure at all times, dogs sometimes do things without thinking. If they get scared by a noise while outside, they could get out of their collar and run, getting lost or hurt. 

Your best defense against accidents like this is a microchip, a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice. Our vets can place one under your dog’s skin, just like any other injection, and it identifies your pet for life. I even have one—so your dog should too.

When scanned with a special device, someone who finds your pet can look up your contact information and get them back home to you ASAP.

But here’s the most critical part: A microchip only does its job if your contact details are up to date. Every time you switch apartments or get a new phone number, you need to let the microchip company know.

Not sure how to contact your pet’s chip company? Come by anytime to visit me and ask one of our team members to scan your pet’s chip and point you in the right direction.

Keeping dogs safe during fireworks season

If you own a dog, you know they can sometimes be “extra.” But you can help them feel braver and stay safe through summer with a bit of forethought and planning. 

If you need help with noise aversion, microchipping, or anything else your dog has gotten into this summer, reach out to the team at Inwood Animal Clinic, who will take great care of your pet.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sunbeam to attend to.

—Mystique