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Did you know more pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year?

The American Humane Association reports that July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters, as companion animals that fled in fright from fireworks and loud noises the night before are found miles from their homes, disoriented and exhausted.

The association reports that fear can drive dogs to jump a high fence or break their leash or chain.

“For many pets, July 4th becomes not a day of Independence but a living nightmare instead,” according to the Northeast Animal Shelter. “Every year during the 4th of July, our lost dog postings are usually increase by at least 80 percent for the first couple weeks of July. Remember a lost dog can happen to anyone! A dog is a dog no matter how well trained. Please remember to take precautions during this 4th of July.”

If your pet is upset by thunder, a door slamming or other loud noises, 4th of July fireworks will be utterly terrifying, according to the American Humane Association. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises pet owners to keep pets away from fireworks.

For dogs, the fear of noises is a normal adaptive response to a real threat. When they encounter a loud noise, their behavioral and psychological survival instinct kick in and tell them to seek shelter to avoid imminent danger.

Based on current estimates, at least 40% of dogs experience something called noise aversion, or the fear of loud noises.  When dogs with noise aversion react to fireworks and other loud noises, their behavior and psychological response is much more persistent and exaggerated than other dogs. Often, their behavior shows characteristics similar to an anxiety attack. If your dog does experience anxiety as a result of noise aversion, there are a few things you can do to keep them comfortable this 4th of July and any other time loud noise is expected.

Prepare for the big day: If your dog experiences significant stress from fireworks, try to slowly expose them to the noise in the days and weeks leading up to the event. Playing videos or CDs with firework sounds can help you slowly introduce your pup to the sound in a safe, controlled environment.

Don’t coddle them: If your pet is upset, cuddling and soothing them may seem like the best response, but what it really does is encourage their fear. Instead, talk to them and act like normal, showing them that the noise is nothing to be afraid of.

Keep them inside: If possible, try and keep your dog inside during the celebrations. Keep the windows closed, curtains drawn, and radio or TV on to minimize the noise and flashing lights.

Play some games: A great way to get your pup’s mind off the loud noises is to play with them. When the fireworks or loud noises begin, bring out their favorite toy and encourage them to play with you.

The ASPCA offers Fourth of July Safety Tips:

Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

Learn more in the video below...