The Dog Days of Summer: Fourth of July Safety Tips for Pets
Fireworks, barbecues and parties are just around the corner to celebrate our country's independence and with it comes stress and anxiety for your furry companions. While the Fourth of July may be fun for humans, the noise and commotion of parties and fireworks can be dangerous for your pets. But have no fear! We’ve listed out 12 tips for pet owners to follow in order to make the Fourth of July more safe for your pets.
1. ID Your Pet!
More pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of the year. Pets, especially dogs, hate fireworks and it can be easy for your furry companion to slip through doors or gates when party guests are not aware. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with identification on it that is readable. It’s also a good idea to think about getting your pet microchipped, if not already. Keeping up-to-date contact information on your pet is a proactive way to make sure they will get back to you safe and sound.
2. Food Safety
Despite the puppy dog eyes your pooch may give you and your guests, remember that not all human food is pet friendly. Common grilling foods that are dangerous to pets include raw meats, bones, onions and corn-on-the-cob. Make sure you dispose of all plastic trays, styrofoam, bags and tin foil in a lock-lid trash can so your pet doesn’t accidentally ingest anything and need medical attention. Some common grilled foods that your pup can have include hot dogs cut into pieces, grilled sweet peppers, zucchini or sweet potato, lean chicken, fish or steak and seedless watermelon.
3. No Alcohol!
Never leave any alcohol unattended around pets. If your pets drink alcohol, they can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or possibly experience respiratory failure. And yes, even beer can be toxic to cats and dogs. Fermented hops and ethanol are poisonous to cats and dogs!
4. Grilling Safety
Those sweet smells coming from your grill can cause your canine to become too curious around the open flame if you are not watching them. Keep all pets away from lighters, matches and barbecues; pets can easily get burned if they are too close to open flames and can also knock over lit grills if they get tangled around them. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, all grills should be kept at least 3 feet away from children and pets.
5. Fireworks
Pet owners should resist the urge to take pets to Fourth of July festivities, especially ones ending with fireworks. Many pets are afraid of the noise and fireworks, which can provoke anxiety and stress for your furry companions. Leave them at home in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area to help them stay away from the loud noises. If the noise really bothers your pet, create your own noise to block out the fireworks by lowering the blinds, turning on the TV or playing some soothing music to bring their anxiety and stress levels down. Don’t wait for the fireworks to begin to bring your pet indoors; bring them in ahead of time to find a cozy spot in the house before the loud noises begin. And remember, pets and fireworks do not mix, so if you are setting off fireworks in your yard, keep pets away from them! They may try to sniff or chase them, which can lead to injuries and a not so happy pet.
6. It’s Still Hot!
If you have a pooch that enjoys the party as much as you, don’t forget to keep them in a shady spot with lots of clean, fresh water to keep them cool. Remember that too much sun and heat is dangerous to pets and be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Try to keep them inside in the air conditioning as much as possible with fresh water readily available. Do not leave them outside for extended periods of time, especially with high temperatures and humidity in July. If you are traveling with your pet, never leave them in the car on warm days - the inside of a vehicle can heat up fast and can be dangerous to your pet's health.
7. Avoid Crowds
Avoid bringing your pet to super crowded events, parades and other gatherings with a lot of commotion or people. The combination of loud noises, heat, packed spaces and hot blacktop can be harmful to your pet’s health. Better to leave them at home in a cool area with lots of fresh water.
8. Keep the Doors Closed
If you do have a party for the 4th of July, remember to keep all the doors closed so your pet won’t get out of the house. With guests going in and out for supplies and food, it can be easy for your pet to slip on out and for no one to notice. A dog gate blocking off your pets access to the doors is a great way to help prevent any four legged friend from escaping. You can also create a sign to put up on all doors to remind guests to keep them closed if you are keeping your furry companions inside during a party.
9. After the Celebrations
Dangers can still be waiting for your pet after all the celebrations are over. Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off the fireworks, debris from other houses that set them off could have landed in your yard. If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps and other food debris that might be dangerous to your pet, such as skewers and tin foil.
10. Insect Repellent and Sunscreen
As with people food is not for pets, so it goes for insect repellent and sunscreen! Do not apply sunscreen or insect repellent to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. If your pet ingests sunscreen products that are not for them, they can experience drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and excessive thirst or lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
11. Citronella Products are Harmful
Keep citronella candles, oils and insect coils out of reach of pets when you are enjoying the outdoors. If they ingest any of these, it can cause stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If your pet gets too close and inhales these products, it can lead to respiratory issues as well. Never leave your candles or insect coils unattended around your pets.
12. No Glow Jewelry
Do not put glow jewelry on your pets or allow them to play with it! The luminescent substance that is contained in these products is not highly toxic but your pet could experience excessive drooling or gastrointestinal irritation. The small plastic pieces along with the jewelry itself can cause intestinal blockages from swallowing them.
Planning a vacation? Heading for a day trip soon? Worried about your furry companions while you’re away? Have no fear - Going Mutts is here for you and your pet needs! Going Mutts Pet Services has more than dog walking; we are here for all of your pet sitting needs no matter what type of pet you have. Contact us today for more information about our pet sitting, daily check-ins and dog walking services. We are here to give you peace of mind!
Sources:
https://www.foundanimals.org/7-easy-ways-protect-pet-4th/
https://www.puplife.com/pages/4th-of-july-dog-safety-tips-how-to-keep-your-pet-safe-and-sane
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/july-4-safety
https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/grill-safety-pets
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips
