Posts from June, 2014

Independence Day – to you it’s a day to celebrate. It’s a day of grilling, parties, and of course, fireworks. However, for your pets,  the Fourth of July is a day of anxiety and fear.

What Makes Pets Fearful of Fireworks?

Loud Noises – Your pet has sensitive ears, even your cat. Loud noises can cause great anxiety for a pet that isn’t used to it. Those loud noises, and the fear it gives them, can cause him or her to run away.

Flashing Lights – Sudden flashes of light can also scare your pet. They don’t understand things the way we do, and they may not comprehend that flash as something not to be afraid of. It can also hurt their eyes.

Smells – Your pet has a nose that works much better than yours. This means that a smell that is strong to you, like the sulfur smell from fireworks, will be overpowering to him or her. Continue…

It is fairly natural for a dog to want to chase other animals moving in his or her vicinity. However, for most pets, this behavior is not one we should encourage. Dogs who chase other animals may find themselves injured by a wild animal trying to defend itself. Porcupine quills, raccoon bites, and skunk spray (among others) are all very real risks to our pets’ health and safety.

Dogs that chase other animals also put themselves in danger in other ways. When straying outside of the yard, they may be hit by a car and injured, or picked up as a stray. Likewise, animal chasing can escalate to chasing the wheels of a car which is unlikely to end well.

In general, animal chasing is a behavior that should be addressed by most pet owners. And while it can be a challenge to overcome a dog’s natural instincts, it is definitely possible. Continue…