Veterinarians and animal shelters across the United States are urging pet owners to take precautions ahead of the July 4, 2026, Independence Day celebrations.
The large-scale fireworks displays planned for America's semiquincentennial routinely cause severe anxiety in domestic animals and trigger a nationwide spike in missing pets.
Why Fireworks Terrify Pets
Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, explained that animals experience fireworks far more intensely than humans.
"Animals — dogs and cats — can hear and feel the fireworks four times further than a human can," he said.
Dr. Lucretia Greear with Woodhaven Animal Hospital in Michigan echoed this.
"Their hearing is definitely more keen than ours and the sounds and the noises and what they feel is just so much more intense than what we experience when we hear fireworks," she said.
The American Humane Society noted that July 5 is the busiest day of the year at many animal shelters because so many pets go missing after the holiday night.
Preparing Your Home and Pet
Dr. Bailey recommended increasing physical exertion earlier in the day to help pets sleep through the noise.
"Get them tired, so that when the fireworks are starting, they want to sleep," he said.
He also suggested using calming apparel like a ThunderShirt and playing background music or NPR to buffer the sounds.
Dr. Greear added that tight-fitting garments can create a sense of security. "It creates this sort of calming, coddling sensation wrapping them in the arms.
It makes them feel safe," she said.
Both experts stressed the importance of up-to-date identification.
"If the pet does get away because they're scared, making sure your contact information is accurate will help you be reunited more quickly," Dr. Bailey said.
Joey Parchen, Community Relations Specialist at the Great Falls Animal Shelter, announced that the shelter is offering $15 microchips through July 3.
"These tools will allow you to make sure your animal is safe when it gets lost.
Make sure that you have the highest chance of recovery and to reunite with them," she said.
Dr. Greear urged owners to plan ahead. "Don't wait until the fireworks start to try to have a plan.
Think about these things in advance, talk to your veterinarian. You want to create a safe space," she said.
The Seeing Eye, a guide dog nonprofit, advised against bringing pets to public gatherings.
"This is a frightening situation and even the most outgoing and confident dogs will be startled," the organization stated.
Organizers for the major celebrations in Washington, D. C.
, also noted that the National Mall is not pet-friendly on the Fourth.
After the fireworks, owners should check their yards for debris. The American Veterinary Medical Association warned that curious animals may pick up or eat leftover firework fragments.
Local pet owners are already adapting. Bob Olszewsk uses a weighted blanket and calming medicine for his dog Bodey.
Brent Tucker said he and his wife try to be home on fireworks days and during thunderstorms.
