The Fourth of July is typically a very happy time of year, but for some of our four-legged friends it can be scary.

Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska Manager Lisa Doescher shared some tips on how to help ease your pets’ tension.

"The easiest and most simple thing you can do is to put them in a kennel if they're kennel trained," Doescher said. "Putting them in a laundry room or bedroom, closing the windows and playing music at a somewhat-loud level - obviously you don't want to hurt their ears - or even having a fan on can help them."

Doescher said dimming the room the pets are in can also help. Pet owners can also buy calming-collars that release pheromones to help calm dogs that are frightened. If none of those work, Doescher said owners can also get mild sedatives for their pets prescribed by a veterinarian. 

Doescher said there is typically a rise in missing pets this time of year due to all the commotion.

"They're in the backyard doing their business and they get scared and they get out, and they just run because there's fireworks and noise everywhere," Doescher said. 

 Pets can have many different responses to the loud noises caused by fireworks. Some are terrified by them, but others may not even care at all.

"The more sensitive of a dog you have. The more sensitive to fireworks they tend to be. The loud fireworks, and the thunder as well, they don't know where it's coming from, so they don't know if it's a danger to them." 

Even if you don’t have pets, there are still some things Doescher said you can do to help out.

"We're celebrating our country and it's a wonderful time to celebrate, but keep in mind if you do have neighbors with pets, they may or may not have a pet that is scared," Doescher said. "So if you see your neighbor has their dogs out or their walking by, please refrain from shooting off your fireworks just for a few minutes."