4th of July and Pet Safety

4th of July and Pet Safety

Fireworks, picnics and other Fourth of July traditions can be great fun for people; but all of the festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals. Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; summer heat and travel can be dangerous; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it.

Whether or not you’re planning your own Independence Day celebration, it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after Fourth of July festivities.

• Make sure your pets are secured indoors and as far away from the sounds as possible as the loud noise of fireworks can startle. Keep your pet in a safe room where they are comfortable once the festivities begin. If your dog is crate trained, put him/her in its crate with a blanket to help offer a feeling of security. You can also help to block the outside sights and sounds by lowering the blinds and turning on the television or radio. And remember, it is a mistake to assume that a fenced pet won’t look for a way to escape the yard during times of extreme stress!

• Be sure that your animal can be identified in case they do escape! If you don’t already have a name tag for your dog, instant ones can be made “on demand” at many local pet supply stores. Engraved tags start at $5.99. Microchipping your pet is one other way to help missing animals find their way back home. Sadly, many animals that have been microchipped are not registered in the system and we are unable to reunite families; please ensure that your pets microchip truly has been registered, and just as important, that your address and phone numbers are current!

• Some pets respond well to sedatives, such as Acepromazine. It is always a good idea to plan ahead and anticipate that this will be a time of stress; make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet examined and a sedative dispensed, or, if your pet has had a physical exam in the past year by your veterinarian, they will often dispense this medication for you if your pet is otherwise healthy. There are also herbal over-the-counter remedies such as Feliway and NaturVet Calming Aid, which can offer homeopathic relaxing effects to your pets. Thundershirts can also be very helpful for some pets at reducing anxiety caused by noise.

It is hoped that these tips will help ensure a happy holiday celebration for your entire 2 and 4-legged family… one without any trips to the animal ER!