Veterinary Leaders Urge New Year's Fireworks Precautions to Protect Pets

Overview

• Brazil’s CRMV-RJ notes dogs hear up to about 40 kHz and cats up to roughly 65 kHz, amplifying the impact of fireworks compared with human hearing.
• CRMV-RJ president Diogo Alves reports reactions that include panic, escape attempts, tremors, excessive salivation, hypertension, convulsions, and in extreme cases death.
• Owners are advised to ready secure indoor spaces with closed rooms and curtains, use steady TV or music for sound masking, control doors to prevent escapes, offer a crate with familiar bedding and toys, use blankets or a gentle X-wrap and ear protection, and avoid tethering animals.
• Anxiolytics or sedatives should only be used under veterinary prescription due to dose-dependent risks and potential severe side effects.
• Holiday foods pose added dangers, so keep chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, alcohol, raw dough, cooked bones, and fatty or heavily seasoned meats away from pets, and consider science-informed YouTube calming channels as a supplemental aid.