4th of July Safety for your Pet

One of the first signs that summer is in full swing is the 4th of July. Gotta’ love it. Parades, barbeques, fireworks – What better way to spend a hot summer day? Well your pets might not agree.

4th of July fireworks can be really scary for your furry friends. I inherited my first dog after someone found her wandering around on the freeway on the 5th of July. It is not uncommon for animals to escape, never to be seen again, when faced with the fear of the booming firework sounds.

To protect your pet on the Fourth of July, take these precautions:

• Keep your pets indoors at home and make sure your home is secured. Keep them in a quiet room if possible. Remove any items that your pet could destroy.
• Do not take your pet to fireworks displays. Your pets may be family to you and you may want to take them to the celebration. Don’t. They will not enjoy it in the least.
• On the 4th of July, do not leave pets outside unattended, even in a secured area. Pets who normally wouldn’t leave may become frightened with the festivities and escape and become lost.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.
• If you know pet is distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian. She may have some ideas on helping your pet through the holiday.
• If you plan to go away for the holiday weekend, read our information on pet travel.

Just a side note, if you find an animal who seems to be lost, take it to the local animal shelter, where it will have a better chance of being reunited with it’s owner.

For more information on 4th of July Precautions for Pets, click here.