While the human family is oohing and aahing over Fourth of July fireworks, many family pets are frightened out of their wits. Such sheer terror keeps veterinary emergency rooms across the country very busy with cases of traumatic fireworks injuries, injuries from pets running through windows, escaping from the house or yard and being hit by cars, not to mention diarrhea and colitis from severe stress.

“Leave your dog at home when you go to the fireworks displays,” said Suzanne Hetts, certified applied animal behaviorist in Littleton, Colo. “Dogs do not enjoy fireworks, and you run the significant risk of your dog developing a severe noise phobia that will make summertime unpleasant for you both in the future.”

“Keep your dog inside more in the days preceding the holiday,” Hetts continues. “Sounds from fireworks are much more intense when the dog is outside as compared to inside. Keeping him in will not only offer some degree of dampening of the loudness, but he will have more places to hide inside than outside. Lastly, should he become panicked enough to try to escape, he won’t be able to get out of the yard if he’s inside. “

“Phobias don’t get better with age,” said Amy D. Shojai, author of “Complete Care For Your Aging Dog.” “Use the plug-in product D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Hormone) that fills the air with a calming scent to take the edge off doggy fear, and give the dog a job to do during the fireworks like retrieving a tennis ball or gnawing on a rawhide chew.”

Dr. Linda Aronson of PetShrink in Norfolk, Mass., says melatonin works for about 80 percent of her patients and can turn their fears into acceptance or indifference in 10 to 15 minutes.

“The dose for dogs is 1 mg for dogs under 10 pounds, 1.5 mg for dogs 10-25 pounds, 3 mg for dogs weighing 25-100 pounds. Whereas 3 mg is often enough for dogs over 100 pounds, you can give them up to 6 mg,” Aronson said.

She cautions people to use plain melatonin tablets not sublingual, time-release or capsule forms. While melatonin is available over-the-counter at pharmacies and health food stores, you should always consult your veterinarian for an exact dosage and blessing.

The experts advise giving the first dose at least 30 minutes before you expect fireworks to begin. Aronson says you can give up to three doses a day, so if you live in a very unpredictable neighborhood, you can give it to your pets when you get up and repeat as necessary.