July 4th Pet Safety

Keep your pet safe this July 4th Holiday

The summer season – and particularly the July 4th holiday – is a lot of fun, but it can be very stressful to our pets.

Here on some tips to keep your pets safe, happy and calm during the July 4th holiday, and also throughout the summer.

  • Keep all pets inside during fireworks. Thundershirts can be helpful, and providing blankets for your pets to snuggle up in can help calm them, as well. Leaving the television or music on is a great idea if you plan to keep your pet inside while you are outside or away from home. Also, please check your pet’s ID tags and be sure the contact information is updated in case they do get away.
  • Keep alcoholic beverages away from your pets. 
  • Keep pets away from the grill, quick-light charcoal and lighter fluid. 
  • Keep your pets on their normal diets – grapes, onions, and avocado are all potentially toxic to dogs. 
  • If your pet is going to be around water, or on a boat, please ensure a life jacket is on your pet at all times. If this is your pet’s first time on the boat, keep the trip short.
  • Always ensure your pet has access to drinking water. 

Update ID Tags!

Did you know that July 5th is one of the busiest days for shelters across the country? Fireworks and furry friends don’t often mix, and shelters can become inundated with stray intake for all of the lost pets that are fearful of the festivities. Dogs and cats can escape even the securest of areas due to firework noise and large crowds. One way to make July 5th easier for you, your pet, and shelter staff, is to make sure your pet is wearing a collar with appropriate ID tags. This will help any finder of your animal return them right back to you! Also, check that your microchip information is up to date by calling the original manufacturer. Not sure who it is? Call the vet or shelter who placed the chip, and they can help! Keep your pet safe, and away from the shelter, this July 4th!

Check out these resources for more information:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips

https://blog.tryfi.com/dog-anxiety-on-4th-of-july/