The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts

Monday, July 4, 2016

July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts


The familiar cadence of "oohs" and "ahs" increases with each sizzle, pop and boom of a dazzling and people-pleasing Fourth of July fireworks display. Meanwhile, your cat or dog quivers, cowers or worst of all — runs away — due to the shock and stress of it all.

"Every muscle of a cat's body is primed for 'kill or be killed,' so its whole nervous system is always on alert," animal behaviorist Jackson Galaxy, host and executive producer of Animal Planet's "My Cat from Hell," told TODAY. "Now put yourself in their shoes when they hear fireworks."

"The Fourth really can be a scary day for all animals," said DogVacay pet expert Nicole Miller of the popular online pet-sitting community. "Owners may think their dog will be fine, but it's best to be prepared."

The terrified-pet scenario will repeat itself millions of times across the U.S. this Monday. In fact, according to the online lost-pet finder system PetAmberAlert.com, animal control officials nationwide expect to take in 30 to 60 percent more pets between July 4 and July 6 than normal. The holiday surge in lost animals strains a system that doesn't bode well for pets that go unclaimed at any time of the year.

"It's no myth that fireworks startle pets," Emily Weiss, vice president of research and development at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told TODAY. A certified applied animal behaviorist, she said the nonprofit's own extensive research couldn't confirm such high numbers. However, when analyzing its own shelter statistics, ASPCA found a slight increase in dogs going into shelters during July, but not so for cats.

To read more on this story, click here: July 4th Fireworks: Tips to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Jackson Galaxy, Pet Experts

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