New Year’s Eve is full of fun and loud noises, from cheering party-goers to explosive fireworks. While humans might enjoy all the excitement, many pets find the celebratory hubbub overwhelming or even downright scary. Animal-lovers should take certain pet care steps to protect their furry family members. Fireworks don’t just induce anxiety; they also create noise and light that can actually damage sensitive creatures’ hearing or eyesight. Read on for some precautionary tips.

Skip Stress This New Year’s Eve With These 3 Pet Care Precautions

1. Keep Animals Inside

Make sure your pets are inside well before midnight. Create a cozy space with food and water as well as comfort objects like a favorite toy. Close windows and doors, and draw curtains to block out any sounds from outside. You can also turn on the television or a radio to create comforting white noise.

2. Arrange Supervision

If you’re not going to be home for New Year’s Eve, consider getting a sitter. Your pet will be happy to have some human company—someone to pet them, cuddle them, and play with them when things are wild outside. Plus, you can rest easy and truly enjoy the celebrations knowing your beloved animal is in good hands.

3. Identify Your Pet

Even with the above precautions, pets are likely to sense something is “off” on New Year’s Eve and may still get spooked. The last thing you want is your dog bolting out the door that an unwitting party guest left open a moment too long during the fireworks display. Get pets a collar and identification tag—or, ideally, have them micro-chipped by a veterinarian.

If you’re still feeling anxious about your pet’s handling the upcoming holidays, talk to your local veterinarian. They may have additional tips on how to keep your pet comfortable. Making the right preparations now means that you and your furry friend will both be able to enjoy the celebrations.

The professionals of Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic will be happy to answer your questions about pets and New Year’s Eve safety. They have been serving the local area for more than 29 years, caring for each and every animal as if they were their own. You can get a full overview of their pet care services online. For an appointment, call the veterinary clinic directly at (808) 625-6744.