Booms, Bangs & Pet Safety: Keeping Your Pets Calm This 4th of July!

BLVD Friends and Neighbors,

Fireworks might be fun for us, but for many pets, they’re downright terrifying. In a city like Chicago, summer is filled with noisy celebrations, from neighborhood festivals to fireworks displays. While we’re enjoying the show, our pets are often just trying to make sense of all the commotion.

Here are a few simple steps that BLVD’s very own Dr. Rachel Courville recommends to help keep your dogs and cats safe, calm, and comfortable this Independence Day—and all summer long:

🎆 Create a Calm Space
Set up a quiet, cozy area where your pet can retreat. Use white noise, calming music, or a TV to help drown out sudden bangs. Close windows and draw curtains to soften the sights and sounds. You can also add enrichment to their space to help keep them busy or distracted from all the noise outside - peanut butter Kongs, Licki-Mats, food-puzzles, etc.

🚫 Leave Pets at Home
It might be tempting to bring your pup to the block party, but loud noises, flashing lights, and crowded sidewalks are a recipe for stress. Home is the safest (and most comforting) place for them to be.

🔐 Double-Check ID Tags, Microchips, and Trackers
More pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. Make sure collars are secure and your contact info is up to date in the microchip registry, just in case your pet bolts from fear. Another option in this amazing age of technology is a GPS pet tracker! Dr. Courville recommends ones like Tractive, Whistle, and Fi Collar!

🧘 Consider Calming Aids
There are many safe, vet-recommended options to help ease anxiety, from pheromone diffusers to prescription medications. If your pet is especially fearful, talk to us! We can help you prepare with a personalized plan. Chicago’s neighborhoods tend to celebrate early and often, so be sure to CALL NOW to talk to your veterinarian about calming aids!

The 4th of July should be fun for the whole family—including the furry ones. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your pet calm and comfortable all summer.

Have questions or need an appointment to discuss noise aversion? We’re just a phone call away!

Wishing You Loads of Summer Fun, 
Your BLVD Vet Team