Noise, excitement of July 4th can frighten pets

Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks can be stressful for dogs, cats and other pets. Here are some tips on how to keep pets calm and safe through the festivities. Many of our furry friends despise the Fourth of July, not understanding that all the screaming, brilliant and booming explosions are all in fun. Some pets run away. Some chew the couch. Some urinate in the bedroom. And others shiver and hide in the closet. "Those big booms are pretty loud, even to us," said Diane Anderson, an animal behaviorist with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Central Florida. "They are seeing the flashes of light, hearing the commotion, people outside yelling. ... It sounds like war or an attack to them." Dog experts say it's hard to explain why some pooches shiver, hide and howl at loud noises while others sleep... [read full story]                    

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