How Crackers Harm Animals

Join us as we unveil the hidden suffering of animals during the bursting of crackers and learn why it’s time for change in our celebrations.

Is it a natural human response to enjoy the deafening sounds of crackers? This question has crossed my mind since childhood, as our communities embrace the tradition of bursting crackers as if their lives depended on it.

If enjoying loud noises were innate to us, why do babies cry when they hear them? Shouldn’t newborns come into the world equipped to handle such noise? We, as adults, even close our ears to muffle the shock of the sound.

So, how is it that people of all ages, genders, communities, and educational backgrounds burst crackers with apparent delight? I, for one, can’t comprehend it. To me, crackers are among the most irritating, distressing, and nerve-wracking things ever invented. During crackers season, our cities often sound like war zones, with chemical filled air and loud booms echoing through the streets.

With this perspective in mind, let’s delve into the impact of crackers on our animals. While I’m no expert, it doesn’t take a scientist to realize that when a cracker explodes, my dogs react in fear. They bark incessantly, hide under furniture, and appear visibly distressed, their anxiety palpable. This is equally unsettling for countless other animals and birds. On the streets, I’ve observed stray dogs and cats desperately seeking refuge, bewildered by the noise, their ears undoubtedly ringing from the sound waves.

If you search online for the effects of crackers on animals, you’ll find numerous articles listing symptoms such as physical damage to hearing organs, stress, flight responses, immediate and long-lasting fear, and proximity-related irreversible hearing loss.

These symptoms aren’t exclusive to animals; humans can also suffer from them. However, the key distinction is that animals don’t receive any advance notice, unlike humans who can prepare for such events. You might argue that thunderstorms are loud too, but animals can detect the signs of an approaching storm. It’s the sudden shock of crackers that makes it so unbearable. Imagine a gun firing repeatedly right next to your ears, abruptly disrupting a peaceful nap. Consider your reaction to that!

Cracker Noise & Thresholds

In the realm of noise, it’s worth delving into the distinctions between decibels (dB) and Hertz (Hz). Decibels quantify the intensity of sound, while Hertz measure its frequency.

Our beloved dogs and cats often bear the brunt of this high-intensity sound due to their heightened frequency ranges, experiencing the explosive noise at a greater intensity. To put it in perspective, fireworks typically generate between 140 and 150 decibels of sound. Repeated exposure to such noise levels can inflict pain and injury on their sensitive ears.

So, each time the firecracker season rolls around, it’s essential to reflect on the fact that the fleeting joy of bursting crackers has a lasting impact on not just ourselves, but also on our fellow humans, the avian population, and the animals in our midst. These voiceless creatures suffer annually, enduring temporary or partial blindness, respiratory distress, fear, shock, displacement, and even death.

Bursting Crackers – Think Of The Cost

In the midst of the vibrant festivities that come with fireworks and firecrackers, it’s crucial to pause and reflect on the broader repercussions of our celebrations. The dazzling bursts of light and the resounding explosions that bring us momentary joy leave behind a lasting impact, not just on ourselves but on the world around us.

The animals, from our loyal canine companions to the myriad creatures that share our environment, bear the brunt of this auditory assault. Their heightened sensitivity to sound, coupled with the deafening intensity of firecrackers, leads to distress, pain, and, in some tragic cases, permanent damage. It’s a price they pay without consent, without warning.

As we consider the joy these explosive celebrations bring, let’s also acknowledge the silent suffering they cause. The temporary blindness, breathing difficulties, fear, shock, displacement, and even loss of life experienced by these innocent beings serve as a poignant reminder of the need for a more compassionate approach to our festivities.

Perhaps it’s time we reconsider the cost of our celebrations, not just for ourselves, but for all those who share this world with us. Let us find ways to celebrate without causing harm, so that our festivities can truly be a time of joy, hope, and compassion for all.