Celebrating the 4th of July with a spectacular firework display is a popular tradition. Even if there’s no official firework celebration in your area, your neighbors may mark the occasion by setting off firecrackers, sparklers, and other noisy explosions. While these are fun for humans, they can be terrifying for small pets like hamsters. Here are five tips to calm your hamster during the 4th of July fireworks.
The 5 Tips to Calm Your Hamster During the 4th of July Fireworks
1. Close Doors and Windows
To muffle the sound of the fireworks as much as possible, close all the doors and windows in your house, especially the room where your hamster lives. Shut the blinds or curtains as well to not only further muffle the sound but also block the bright lights of the fireworks. Consider temporarily shifting your hamster’s cage to a more interior room or a smaller space if their usual location is more open or near exterior walls.
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2. Provide Plenty of Nesting Material
When fireworks are expected, ensure your hamster’s cage has a generous substrate layer and bedding material. Ensure that the wood shavings or whatever you use to line your hamster’s cage are deep enough for the animal to burrow down into it.
If your hamster gets scared by the fireworks, its instinctive reaction will probably be to hide. A deep substrate allows the hamster to make its own hiding place to help stay calm during the 4th of July Fireworks.
3. Offer a Hiding Box
Another option to keep your hamster calm during fireworks is to provide a hiding box or space for them. You may already have one of these in the cage to serve as your hamster’s sleeping den. If not, consider using a small cardboard box, which will help block out noise and light.
A more permanent (and visually appealing) solution is to purchase a commercial small pet hideaway product, such as this one. Whichever hiding option you choose, give your hamster time to get used to it before the fireworks begin. d
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4. Offer an Alternative Sound
To help mask the explosion of fireworks on the 4th of July, try offering an alternative, more soothing sound. One option is to turn a television or radio on at low volume in the same room as your hamster. You could also play soft music, such as classical or smooth jazz, to help calm your hamster during the fireworks.
A white noise machine is another potential option. Whatever sound you choose, keep the volume relatively low, so it doesn’t further traumatize your hamster.
5. Cover the Cage
A final tip to help keep your hamster calm during the 4th of July fireworks is to use a towel or blanket to cover their cage. The dark environment should help your hamster feel safer and will also help muffle the sound of the fireworks.
If you decide to use this option, be careful to leave at least part of the cage uncovered to ensure adequate ventilation. You don’t want your hamster to get overheated or block all the air coming into the cage.
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What About Other Pets?
Some pets could care less about fireworks, but any emergency veterinarian can tell you horror stories about the ones that do and the dangers they can pose. Many of the tips we offered to keep your hamster calm also apply to other pets.
Make sure pets are kept indoors, including moving small outdoor animals such as rabbits or chickens behind closed doors if possible. If animals are too large to come inside, try to secure them in a barn, stable, or coop and check for any weak spots in fences and pens.
Inside, follow the advice we gave for hamsters and ensure dogs and cats have access to hiding places. If your dog is comfortable in a crate, try securing them there. Shut the curtains and consider using alternative sounds.
Avoid walking your dog outside when fireworks go off and never leave them unattended in the yard. Ensure your dog is identified with a microchip or collar tag in case they get scared and run away. Don’t take your dog to a firework display, even if you think they can handle it.
Unlike hamsters, dogs and cats may benefit from anxiety medications. Ask your veterinarian (well in advance) if this makes sense for your pet. You could also consider a pheromone diffuser to help calm dogs and cats.
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Conclusion
Dog (and often cat) owners are typically familiar with the struggle of calming a pet during firework season. However, small pets like hamsters can get scared too, and it’s essential to take precautions to keep them safe and happy. These five tips should help keep your hamster calm during the 4th of July fireworks. If you’re traveling during the holiday, share them with your pet sitter so they know what to do.
Elizabeth Gray is a lifelong lover of all creatures great and small. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. Elizabeth spent more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse before stepping away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. Now, she is excited to share her hard-earned knowledge (literally--she has scars) with our readers. Elizabeth lives in Iowa with her family, including her two fur kids, Linnard, a husky mix and Algernon, the worldʻs most patient cat. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching all sports but especially soccer, and spending time outdoors with her family....Read more
