Best 4th of July Tips for Dogs

It's been a crazy time for all of us, to say the very least. As we gradually ease ourselves back to normal again, our canine companions might need a little help re-adjusting, too -- especially if you're back to work, or if some of your 4th of July plans are on!

So, to keep your pet calm instead of freaking out about loud noises and hooman festivities, here are four handy tips on how to calm a dog down and keep their tail wagging happily.

Separate Seamlessly

Let's face it. After being cooped up in the house for so long, we don't blame you for wanting to get out for a fun (and safe) 4th of July get-together with some friends and loved ones. But, is your dog ready for those normal stressful situations?

Your pup probably got used to seeing you around the house all day long, so you might want to consider coming up with a game plan to help your dog out if they start to feel stressed. Even if normal dog stress hasn't been a problem in the past for your normally calm dog, you might be surprised at how clingy they have become since then.

Help Fido Handle the Fun

Whether you're keeping it simple or going all out (while social distancing) for the 4th of July, be sure your dog is ready for all the action!

Between the fireworks, loud friends, blaring music, grills, and feel-good drinks, there's quite a lot of 4th of July stimuli for Fido to deal with -- not to mention a few dangers if they happen to stick their snouts where they don't belong. In those scenarios, calming pets down isn't always easy!

For a few pet parent-approved Independence Day pointers, we suggest going the extra mile to keep your pup comfy, such as picking up a nice calming dog bed or playing some calming music for dogs so they have a little safe haven to retreat to if they're feeling uneasy.

Calming Supplements May Help

Whether you're heading out for work or to enjoy some fun and fireworks, sometimes your belly rubs and pats on the head won't be enough to stop your dog from buggin' out when you head out the door.

Fortunately, any bashful basset hound, frazzled french bulldog, border collies, small dogs, or gentle giants can enjoy a premium calming supplement for dogs. Tasty soft chews are an easy (and delicious) way to give Fido a hand for normal signs of stress or dog hyperactivity.

Feeding your dog calming chews with active ingredients such as Melatonin, Hemp, Valerian Root, and L-Theanine may be able to help your furry friend feel less tense, whimpery, or displaying hyperactive behavior when they're having a "ruff" time without you. It's even better if you plan on bringing your dog along for some fun in loud public areas.

Fetch Some Frisbees

For some dogs, the best calming aid to stay settled down is good old-fashioned exercise. Whether it's a long walk, playful doggy-wrestling on the living room floor, or some frisbee fun in the backyard, physical activities can work wonders for antsy pups!

Not only does exercise keep them physically fit, but it also helps tire them out and increase their appetite. In doing so, your dog will be far less concerned with you leaving for work or listening to firework displays.

Just be sure your dog's hips and joints are up to the task! We suggest giving your canine companion a mobility supplement to keep them moving comfortably.

If you have any comments, tips of your own, or questions about calming supplements, tell us below! You can also reach out to us at (800)-940-1972 or bark@zestypaws.com.

BehaviorDogDog calming tipsDog supplementsDog tipsDogsPet health

4 comments

Zesty Paws

Zesty Paws

Hi Amanda!
That is a great question. Our products are meant to be able to be combined with pre-existing regimens, however, because we are not as familiar with Benadryl as we are with our products, we would recommend consulting your pup’s trusted veterinarian to be extra cautious. <3

Amanda hart

Amanda hart

Hi! Our dog gets very nervous around fireworks and we’re getting ready to help her through the next few nights. We have the peanut butter calming bites which help but we’d also like to give her some Benadryl to help sedate her in case it’s not enough. Is it ok to give her both?

Zesty Paws

Zesty Paws

Hi Beth! That is an excellent question. I used to have a basset hound too and she was terrified of thunder. I would recommend trying out our Calming Bites! We recommend giving them daily and about an hour before a stressful event. For example, if it is the fireworks you are concerned with, I would give them about an hour before the fireworks are set to go off for the night. :)

Beth M Runyan

Beth M Runyan

Hi my name is Beth. I have 2 basset hounds. When my female hears loud noises she shakes so bad, we think she’s going to have a heart attack or something. What can I do

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published