More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, according to Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at New York City’s Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. However, this fact may not come as a surprise to pet owners, since the holiday is often marked by fireworks displays that can scare animals.
From the perspective of a pet, this fear is Correct: Fireworks are completely unexpected explosions that are incredibly loud and often literally shake floors and walls. Plus, the unique physiology of our pets makes fireworks displays even more disorienting: “Dogs can hear twice as many frequencies as humans,” Fox explains, “so even the fireworks from afar can be panic-inducing.”
As a result, it’s natural for pets to experience a “fight or flight” response to fireworks, Fox explains, which can prompt your beloved dog or cat to bolt or hide. This reaction can also be intensified by previous negative experiences with loud noises, which you may not even know if you adopted or rescued your pet.
