How to Keep Your Reactive Dog Safe This 4th of July, According to Experts
While it can be fun for humans, the 4th of July is a seriously risky holiday for many pets. A 2024 analysis from Shelter Animals Count (SAC) found that the days around the 4th of July always bring in the highest surge in stray dog intakes. From 2021 to 2023, the day after Independence Day was the single highest intake day for stray dogs nationwide.
So how do you keep your dog safe during the 4th of July? Methods include keeping your dog in a safe, calm, and secure environment and considering calming options (supplements, medication, and exercise) beforehand.
That’s easier said than done, though. So here’s a closer look at keeping your dog safe, with advice from pet experts.
Make a 4th of July dog safety plan before the big day
An overarching theme across many of the experts I spoke with was a need to think ahead. If you have a reactive dog, it’s helpful to have a plan in place so you’re not scrambling for help on the loud and chaotic holiday.
Think about where your dog will stay, how you’ll keep them safe and contained, and what your plan is for when they need to go outside and relieve themselves.
“Clearly you will need to let your dog relieve themselves, but otherwise keeping them in one room or in a crate will be the next best thing,” explained jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue in Washington. “It is better to prepare a dog for this by working up to it, not expecting that suddenly your dog will like the crate (or being without you) if this is not what they are accustomed to.”
Create a safe and soothing environment
“Getting ahead of the chaos means your dog has a safe retreat before the anxiety has a chance to build.”
“Create a calm, secure space before the noise starts,” recommended Molly Jespersen, training specialist at dog boarding and daycare service Camp Bow Wow. “Set up a quiet spot at home with white noise or calming music to help drown out the sounds of fireworks. Add an anxiety vest, pheromone spray or a lick mat to further ease stress. Getting ahead of the chaos means your dog has a safe retreat before the anxiety has a chance to build.”
Lorraine Rhoads, director of health and safety at dog daycare company Dogtopia, echoed these sentiments.
“For reactive dogs, preparation is everything. Set up a quiet room well before the fireworks begin, ideally somewhere interior with minimal windows, and stock it with familiar items like their favorite blanket, a well-loved toy, and something that smells like you. White noise or calming music can help muffle the unpredictable booms outside, giving their nervous system something steady to hold onto.”
As mentioned earlier, Thomas doesn’t recommend trying out a crate for the first time on a high-stress holiday like July 4th. But if your dog already sees their crate as a safe space, you can use this to your advantage.
“I have seen firsthand how crating on the 4th and during thunderstorms can be beneficial with my own dogs and fosters. One of my dogs would go ballistic until I put her in the crate, then it was like she couldn't even hear the noises and she just went to sleep,” recalled Thomas.
Exercise first, then keep your dog inside
“Chances are the yard will not be very enjoyable when it sounds like the end of the world to your dog.”
“Burn energy early in the day,” suggested Jespersen. ”Take your dog on a morning walk before the festivities begin so they are physically and mentally tired when the fireworks start. In the evening, offer a snuffle mat or a frozen treat to keep them engaged in a calm, rewarding way. A tired dog with a job to do is far less likely to spiral into full anxiety mode.”
But in many places, fireworks go off earlier in the day or even days before the big night’s events. If this is the case, you’ll need to use your best judgment on the best way to wear your dog out. If going outside isn’t an option, you can stick to indoor activities like snuffle mats and frozen treats, as Jespersen mentioned. Even if your dog has great recall and does well off leash or in your yard, it’s a good idea to avoid these activities when fireworks may go off at any time.
“The number one rule for the 4th of July is to not leave your dog outside when they are not leashed up and being held by you,” added Thomas. “Even fences that may otherwise be secure are easy for dogs to get out of if they are startled or scared by fireworks…This is not the day to let your dog go by themselves or enjoy the yard as they might at other times, because chances are the yard will not be very enjoyable when it sounds like the end of the world to your dog.”
Consider calming supplements or medication ahead of time
Many reactive dog owners rely on medication or supplements to help their dog through highly stressful situations. Supplements like CBD or herbal calming chews can do the trick for some dogs, while others may need prescription-based support like Trazodone or Xanax. Your veterinarian can help you decide the right move. But it’s important to consult with them before the holiday arrives.
“There are both behavioral tools and veterinary interventions that can make a real difference, but they work best when you have time to plan rather than scrambling the night of,” advised Rhoads. “Your vet can help you find the right fit for your dog's specific history and needs.”
CBD for dogs on the 4th of July
Thomas recommends CBD in some cases, noting that dog owners should always test it out in advance of the big day. “CBD can be calming to their mind and make the experience more tolerable rather than them being drugged, confused and still scared through it all,” she explains.
Jeffrey Powers, DVM and president of the Veterinary Cannabis Society, emphasizes the importance of timing when using CBD for the 4th of July.
“Oral CBD oil peaks in the bloodstream about 1.5-2 hours after a dose, with a short half-life. So for a predictable event, you want to give a single dose roughly 1.5-2 hours before the fireworks start — not the morning of,” he recommends. “One study found no benefit when CBD was given 4–6 hours ahead, which tells us the window matters. It also helps to give CBD with food containing some fat. CBD is fat-soluble, and dosing it alongside food or a bit of added lipid significantly increases how much gets absorbed, so the same dose works harder.”
Make sure tags are updated and gear fits
For extra peace of mind and safety, make sure your dog’s harness or collar fits properly and can’t be slipped out of if they’re startled. Keep your dog on a leash and ensure you’re prepared to keep your dog safe if they start reacting to fireworks while out on a walk.
Verify your dog’s tags are up to date before the holiday, too. Should the worst case scenario happen and your dog gets loose, you’ll want to make sure they can easily make their way back to you.
“Double-check that ID tags are current, legible and securely on your dog at all times throughout the holiday weekend,” suggested Jespersen.
Keep an eye on non-reactive dogs, too
If your dog isn’t particularly startled by fireworks and 4th of July chaos, don’t forget to check up on them too. Between beach days, backyard barbecues, and patio parties, they can find their way into other precarious scenarios on the holiday.
“4th July is one of those times when pets get into trouble, not because owners are careless, but because everyone is relaxed, food is everywhere, and dogs are brilliant opportunists,” said Dr. Matthew Murdoch, veterinarian and founder of Ferndale Kennels and Travel Pet Relocation Service.
He shared a story with us that highlights the importance of keeping your dog safe and supervised this holiday, even if they’re not reactive toward fireworks:
“I saw a non-healing wound on the side of a dog’s chest. We gave the dog an anesthetic as it seemed there may be a foreign body (i.e. an object, and in this case a hard one) to examine it…What we found was extraordinary–on further examination, it was discovered that it was a 6-inch-long wooden kebab stick,” said Murdoch, noting that they ended up having to do abdominal surgery because the stick originated in the stomach but followed an abnormal tunnel connection between the stomach organ and the skin.
This of course is an unusual example, but it’s certainly very common for vets to see dogs swallow kebab skewers whole, or “corn on the cob” sticks, and then cause a stomach or intestinal obstruction. They smell delicious, but they do not digest.”
Keep your reactive dog safe this 4th of July
With this expert advice at your disposal and several days to prepare, we hope that you’ll feel more equipped to keep your reactive dog safe this upcoming holiday.
All of the advice in this article relies on one key function: preparedness. Don’t go into the 4th of July without a plan for your dog’s safety and comfort.
Many scenarios can stress reactive dog owners out, and Independence Day is no exception. The best way to get through it is to have a plan in place and know that the situation is temporary.
Want to learn more reactive dog training tips and support? Check out our other articles for more information.
Written by: Macey Wolfer
Macey Wolfer is a freelance writer from Seattle. She wants to see more confident dogs and owners with a lower rate of shelter surrenders.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice.