Celebrating the Fourth of July is a fun summer event — if you’re a human. If you’re a dog or cat, this holiday can be stressful. Here are some pet safety tips to keep in mind before and after the fireworks start.
Avoid party snacks
Between brats, burgers, and beverages, the Fourth of July is chock-full of fun, human-friendly goodies. Still, some of these snacks can be harmful to your pets. Keep a close eye on them during the party to make sure they aren’t helping themselves.
Keep them inside
When the sun goes down, loud fireworks can be stress-inducing for our furry companions and the bright colors and loud noises can make animals nervous. To mitigate this stress, keep your dogs and cats inside when you first see the rockets’ red glare, so to speak. You can also consider playing some white noise to try and block out some of the loud bangs.
Try compression gear
Some pet lovers swear by compression accessories to help keep animals calm during loud events. Garments like these can help soothe stress by applying gentle, consistent pressure to natural pressure points, much like swaddling a baby. Talk to your vet and do your research to see which compression accessory is right for your pet. If buying compression gear, be sure to pick them up or add to your online order in advance of Independence Day – pet stores can be sold out of product this time of year!
Update their info
If the worst happens and your pet does escape during the festivities, proper identification could be their ticket home. Before the Fourth, make sure your pet is wearing tags with updated information. You may also want to talk to your vet about implanting a microchip in your pet, as tags can sometimes fall off and get lost.
We hope these tips will help ensure that both you and your furry family members have a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday. Find more tips on how to enjoy a safe summer with your dog.