Pet Safety Tips for a Paw-some 4th of July!

On the 4th of July, many of us look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and fireworks. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the potential dangers this holiday can pose to our beloved furry friends. As the holiday approaches, our team is here to walk you through the day and teach you how to keep your pets safe and calm during the festivities.

Before the party

Just as you prepare for holiday festivities, don’t forget to prioritize your pet’s safety leading up to the 4th of July. Give yourself peace of mind by ensuring your furry friend is microchipped and wearing an up-to-date collar tag. If your pet somehow escapes or gets lost, a microchip and upto-date collar tag will help ensure you are reunited. If your pet still needs to be microchipped, schedule an appointment with us today!

Creating a secure and pet-friendly environment is key to preventing accidental escapes. Set up a designated safe space for your pet and remind your party guests to watch for your pets, always ensuring doors are securely closed behind them.

Fun in the Sun

While you may think applying sunscreen or bug repellent to your pet would be beneficial, avoid applying any products unless they are explicitly labeled for use on animals. Misusing insect repellent or allowing your pet to ingest sunscreen can lead to serious neurological and intestinal problems, including symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, even death.

Instead of sunscreen, keep your pet safe from the sun by making sure they have lots of access to shade and water when spending time outside.

If your plans include a day by the pool or near any body of water, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on your furry companion. Consider investing in a pet life jacket—an invaluable tool that could save your pet’s life in case of an accident!

Dinner time

Resist those pleading puppy dog eyes—feeding your pets from the table can be risky! Remember, certain human foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt, and yeast dough can all spell trouble for your furry friends. Keep them safe by stashing food out of their reach when you step away from the table.

Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can sniff them out. Alcohol can be toxic, leading to intoxication, weakness, severe depression, coma, or even respiratory failure in extreme cases. Be a vigilant pet parent and prevent any unfortunate mishaps!

Nighttime Festivities

Make sure to keep glowsticks out of reach of your pets. While they may seem harmless, ingesting the luminescent substance inside the glowstick can cause excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation. Intestinal blockages can also occur from pets swallowing large pieces of plastic.

Fireworks and pets don’t mix well. Be mindful of using fireworks around your furry friends, as exposure to lit fireworks can lead to severe burns and trauma, particularly to their delicate faces and paws. Even unused fireworks can pose a danger, as the explosive materials they contain can be toxic if ingested.

If you’re attending a party, it’s probably best to leave your furry friends in the comfort of your own home. Loud and crowded fireworks displays can easily frighten and disorient them. Resist the urge to bring them along and provide a safe space in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof room where they can find solace from the noise.

After the Party

After the 4th of July festivities, don’t forget to inspect your yard for any debris. Even if you didn’t personally ignite fireworks, remnants might have landed in your yard from neighbors or nearby firework shows.

If you hosted a gathering, take a moment to survey the party area for any leftover food or trash. Make sure the area is clear before your pet has a chance to explore and potentially ingest something harmful.

As we wrap up our blog on pet safety during the 4th of July, it’s important to remember that our responsibility as pet owners extends beyond this holiday. Ensuring the well-being and security of our furry friends is a year-round commitment. Make sure your pet is up to date on their annual wellness visit and vaccines. If you are unsure about your pet’s status or need to make an appointment, call us today at our main number.