Here's how to keep your dog safe and calm as Fourth of July fireworks get loud

The Fourth of July is anything but a holiday for dogs.

This fireworks-filled time of year means fear and anxiety for man's best friend, said Carly Bach, a veterinarian at the Animal Clinic of North Topeka, 625 N.W. US-24 highway.

A dog's first instinct is to respond to the loud bangs and bright flashes by running, which can result in it getting lost — or even hit by a car, Bach told The Capital-Journal on Friday.

More pets go missing around July 4 than at any other time of year, said Pet Amber Alert, a missing animal emergency response system.

Why do dogs fear fireworks?

Pets are more sensitive than people are to noises, flashing lights and strong smells, said the Humane Society of the United States. Dogs, in particular, hear far better than their owners can. The sound of fireworks may hurt their ears.

And while humans come to expect fireworks around July 4, dogs have no such frame of reference, said purina.com.

"To them, it's just another day," it said, adding that dogs have no idea what fireworks are or why they are being shot off.

"Plus, the loud noises and flashing lights sound and look different every time and come at seemingly random intervals, so dogs can't get used to them," purina.com said.

What do shaking, panting and drooling mean?

The American Kennel Club suggests owners learn to read their dog's body language to get an idea of when they feel anxious.

Shaking, panting and drooling are among the first signs dogs tend to show to indicate they feel that way, Bach said.

Cats tend to hide when they feel anxious, but dogs more commonly choose a response involving "fight or flight," she said.

Some dogs will start pacing around inside their owner's house or looking for a way to get outside, Bach said.

What can I do to ease dog's anxiety?

Dog owners in recent days have asked Bach for advice and medications they can use to make this time of year less traumatic for their canines, she said.

Bach tells them to keep their dog in an enclosed, secure place, such as a quiet, dark room in their house — especially if the owner won't be home.

"Don't leave your dog in the yard," she said. "They will try to find a way out of the yard."

Kansas State University professor weighs in

Keeping dogs in the safe confines of their crates or a secure room is all that is needed to make some canines feel less anxious, said Susan Nelson, clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Manhattan's Kansas State University.

"Be sure to close the blinds or use heavy curtains to block out the flashes of light," she said.

Nelson encouraged owners to distract from the noise and commotion by providing their dogs food puzzles and dog toys.

Owners who keep their pets inside protect them from anyone who might try to harm them with fireworks, she said.

What if I need to take my dog outside?

Nelson encouraged owners to keep their dogs under leash control whenever they take them outside.

Owners should also ensure their dog has some type of identification, such as a tag and/or microchip, in case the dog gets lost, she said.

It's best to have a tag and a microchip, because tags can get lost and microchips can stop working or be missed when they are scanned, Nelson said,

Trazodone or gabapentin medications may help

Bach said she's handed out "a lot of refills" this past week to owners who have previously given their dogs anti-anxiety medications.

Trazodone and gabapentin seem to work well, she said.

Nelson said over-the-counter supplements can be given to dogs with mild to moderate anxiety.

"Note that some of these treatments need to be started several days ahead of the holiday for best effectiveness," she said.

More: Topeka-area residents will have options to celebrate Fourth of July. Here's what we found

How else can I keep my canine calm?

Other alternatives include buying the following:

• A ThunderShirt, which is a vest that applies gentle pressure to a dog's chest to relieve anxiety.

• A white noise machine to drown out the sounds of the outside world, with various options being available.

• "Through a Dog's Ear," a classical music collection engineered to a pitch and speed that’s calming for dogs.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka can get loud on Fourth of July. Here's how to calm anxious dogs