New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday is a celebration as we welcome the coming of another year.

Fireworks can be fun for humans, but it can be traumatizing to animals. That said, this can be a particularly stressful day for every pet owners.

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and calm when the fireworks start.

Prepare your dog for dealing with such noise

Desensitization can help reduce the chances of your dog getting traumatized. Prepare your dog in advance by making sure he’s comfortable with the sound of fireworks.

Play a recorded sound of fireworks at least 3 to 4 months before the fireworks season. This can help reduce your pet’s anxiety and allow them to adapt to the sound. It is most effective when you play the music a few hours before the fireworks start and leave it on until bedtime.

Prepare the house

Your pet considers your home as their safety zone. So, it is important to take some steps to prepare your home in this situation.

Provide your pet a place to take temporary refuge. Keep the windows and curtains closed, but make sure to keep the lights open so as to make your dog feel safe and secure. If your dog is comfortable in a cage, it would be a good idea to cover the cage with a blanket, but make it’s breathable so as to avoid suffocation.

Sedation

If you are worried that your dog isn’t prepared to handle the stress and anxiety brought about by the fireworks, you may also consider sedating the dog. Keep in mind, though, that the medication should be given hours before the fireworks start. If the dog is already anxious, then there’s no point giving sedatives as his mental state will only overrule the medication, rendering it ineffective.