5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe This Fourth of July
This holiday should be for fireworks and grill-outs—not trips to the ER.
As excited as you might be for your pet to join you during your Fourth of July activities (they love hot dogs and lounging in the sun, after all), most dogs and cats aren’t so stoked about all the holiday traditions — namely, fireworks. It’s not to be taken lightly; animal control services report a 30 percent increase in lost pets between July 4 and 6, and only 14 percent of those pets are reunited with their parents.
Pyrotechnics can trigger anxiety in many pets (and people for that matter), causing them to make a run for it. Plus, barbecues have their fair share of risks: Dogs can ingest things — from toxic food to bug spray — or get burned while begging at the grill.
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You don’t have to cancel your holiday plans — but it’s important to be prepared, so you can celebrate while your pet sits this one out. Follow these five tips that will help calm your pet.
Let them hide out in their happy place.
Unless your plans involve hanging out in a fenced-in backyard with just a few friends, it’s better for both you and your pet if they stay home. Dogs who fear loud sounds should definitely stay in. “If your dog is happy in a crate, that is a great option. Covering it with a blanket can make it extra cozy for some dogs,” says animal behaviorist Karen London. “Keep your dog in the most quiet and comfortable place possible… a room without windows is usually better than one with windows.”
Make sure you lock your doors and secure windows so there aren’t any escape routes, lower blinds to block the flashing lights, and put on some chill music or calming white noise. Give them plenty of exercise earlier in the day. It will also be easier for them (again, and you) to relax when you leave them if they’re good and tired.
Bust out your anti-anxiety tool kit.
If your dog gets scared easily, provide a quiet hideaway like a crate or private room. Chewing helps soothe dogs, so leave them with a safe chew toy, peanut butter-stuffed Kong, or other interactive dog puzzle toy to help distract and de-stress. A Thundershirt can work wonders by applying gentle, constant pressure to help keep dogs calm, and CBD treats can naturally zen out pets. For more serious cases, talk to your vet about anti-anxiety meds that could help them relax until morning.
Update your pet’s ID tag and microchip info.
If you do bring your pet to the party, keep their leash attached to your waist so you can hold your beer. But first, double-check that your contact info on both their ID tag and microchip is up to date just in case they slip out of their collar when someone drops a hot dog.
Sure, microchips feel a little Brave New World, but they hugely improve your odds of finding your pet if they manage to escape. Fifty-two percent of microchipped dogs and 38 percent of microchipped cats who wind up in shelters find their way home, according to the American Veterinary Medical Associationopens in new tab (AVMA).
Don’t fall for puppy-dog eyes at the grill.
With 300 million scent receptors (compared to our six million), that barbecue chicken smells even more mouthwatering to your dog. But chicken bones, corn cobs, and other leftovers can cause obstructions in their gut, which can often require surgical removal. Other items like chocolate, alcohol, and avocado can be toxic to dogs. Save the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Centeropens in new tab number just in case.
Keep an eye out for other toxins.
Simply inhaling lighter fluid fumes can cause aspiration pneumonia, but seemingly less noxious products can make your pet just as ill — especially if your dog is a licker. Ingesting sunscreen can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy; bug spray containing DEET can lead to neurological issues; and citronella oil from candles can depress the central nervous system, resulting in decreased heart rate, coma, or death. Finally, fireworks can not only severely burn an animal, but many also contain toxic ingredients like arsenic and other heavy metals.
OK, that’s enough scary stuff. Now that you’ve got a plan, go celebrate, and bring your pet back a doggie (or kitty!) bag of stuff they can eat.
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