Animals
July 4th Is An Extremely Busy Day For Pet Shelters, And There’s One Thunderous Reason Why
The Fourth of July has arrived and that means fireworks!
Of course, not everyone likes fireworks. Small children are often upset by the loud bangs and bright explosions in the air, for example.
And as many pet owners know, dogs aren’t usually big fans of the traditional 4th of July celebration; the thunderous claps have terrified many a pup.
But why?
Well, researchers recently tackled this subject and then published their findings in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal … and the results are a bit surprising.
As animal behaviorist Corey Cohen writes in his Path of Friendship blog, nearly 45 percent of dogs have a true-blue firework phobia:
“When our dogs are exposed to sudden loud sounds, there is a release of adrenaline and an increase of the hormone cortisol, as well as changes to their amygdala, hippocampus, and parts of the frontal cortex of their brain.
In other words, brains change as a result of loud, anxiety producing noise.
Our dogs are especially vulnerable to this effect during the summer months when thunderstorms prevail and during Fourth of July celebrations, where fireworks are set off in some neighborhoods all day and night.”
So, does this mean dog owners simply shouldn’t go anywhere near fireworks?
After all, July 4 and 5 are two of the busiest days for shelters, just because so many petrified pooches end up running off during a fireworks display.
Cohen suggests that we simply let the dog choose its own coping strategy (provided it’s safe):
“The best thing we can do for our friends when they are stressed is to allow our dogs the dignity of choosing their own coping strategies that will help them, as long as they aren’t harming themselves.
Our dogs are intelligent, self-determined beings that can find coping strategies to help them deal with fearful situations and regain a sense of homeostasis.”
As you might expect, some dogs rush to find a hiding place that feels safe. Others might want a distraction, like a toy of some kind, to help alleviate the stress of the fireworks.
Then there are those scared pups who simply need a kind touch to feel better. Said Cohen:
“One of the best ways we can help comfort our dogs is through touch.
Gentle, easy massage is a great way to stimulate oxytocin, which is a natural antidote to adrenaline. Technique is not that important.
It’s just the close, loving physical contact that helps.”
And you might just find that such an experience will bring you closer to your spooked four-legged friend, too. 🙂
Source: HuffPost
