Keep the 4th of July Safe for Pets
More family pets will run away from home this weekend than during any other time of the year. Although people look forward to the noise and excitement that the 4th of July brings, remember that our four-legged friends do not share that same enthusiasm for loud, unexpected sounds and crowds of unknown people. Many of the pets that run away during the fireworks will escape by slipping out of their collars. A micro-chip identification will assure that your pet is returned if it ends up at a shelter.
July 4 Party Safety for Pets
- You may love a frosty brew and yummy brownie at your 4th of July BBQ, either of these items could spell disaster for our animal friends. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets, as does chocolate and other foods like onions, grapes, raisins, avocado, and coffee.
- Keep your dog or cat away from lighter fluid, insect repellant, glow in the dark jewelry, and sunscreen. All of these items, while handy for your backyard BBQ, can be potentially lethal to your best friend if they are inhaled or ingested. Even letting them play with these items could be harmful or deadly.
- Keep pets away from hot barbeque grills or coals.
- Keep pets away from Styrofoam and plastic utensils used at picnics and parties and the plastic wrap and strings that cover raw meat. These items are alluring to pets and will lead to gastrointestinal obstruction when ingested, which may require surgery.
Keep Pets Safe During Fireworks
- DO NOT take your pets along to the fireworks displays.
- Bring your pets indoors before fireworks displays begin.
- Make sure that your pets have access to their favorite, “safe place” or find a quiet, comfortable, enclosed room where your pets can, “hide” if necessary.
- Consider an extra safety precaution like the “Thunder shirt” to deal with extra nervous pets.
- If you go to a fireworks display and leave your pets at home alone, leave the radio or television on so there is some, “normal” background noise.