Pueblo vet shares tips to keep your pet’s stress levels down during the 4th of July

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)-- While fireworks are festive and beautiful to look at, the noise can be traumatizing for pets. 

The average person can't hear noise above 20,000 Hertz (Hertz is a measure of the frequency of a sound, and the higher the frequency, the higher-pitched the sound.) However, Dogs can hear noises as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hertz.

"Their hearing is so different... that what we hear is just magnified so many more times which results in fear, phobias, and a lot of anxiety," said Dr.Patti Canchola, a veterinarian with pets and friends animal hospital. 

Dr. Canchola said pet owners can get medications prescribed to their pet to help their nerves. She said she always recommends getting them prescribed by a professional veterinarian. 

"I can't stress enough before you choose anything over the counter or from a friend... know what you're giving your pet or your cat or your dog...there are things that are safe, and there are things that are not very safe."

She also said many clinics are already getting a lot of calls for prescriptions because most clinics are closed during the holiday. She recommends all pet owners plan ahead if they choose to give their pet medication to help ease their stress. 

While Dr. Canchola said it's best for pet owners to stay at home with their pets during the holiday. She understands not everyone can. 

She recommends doing the following:

• Leave a T.V. on or leave music playing 
• Keep a dim light on
• Put them in an area where if they do get anxious, they don't knock something over and hurt themselves 

Dr. Canchola also recommends that if you're leaving your pet outside, ensure the yard is secured. 

"The 4th of July weekend is always a busy time for pets to escape out of the yard. They're afraid. They're hearing loud noises. They're running, and the the humane societies and the shelters will definitely have an intake of strays, and many of those don't have an identifying collar," said Dr. Patti Canchola. 

Many 4th of July celebrations start before and linger on after the holiday is over. Dr. Canchola urges pet owners to watch out for trash that may be remaining in the area. 

"The wrappers and all the residual firework stuff, papers, sparklers, sticks... you want to make sure they can't have access to that and eat it cause you don't know whats going to cause some G.I. upset."

If you have any questions regarding the safety of household pets during the busy weekend, contact your local veterinarian.