4th of July Pet Safety Tips

Independence day is a time for food, fun and fireworks–but it can be a day filled with anxiety for pets. Whether you’re hitting the road this Independence Day or spending quality time at home, we’ve got tips to help you prepare your pet for the festivities.

Use these simple tips to create a 4th of July-proof pet sanctuary.

5 Firework Safety Tips for Anxious Pets 

Find A Safe Space

Planning to travel over the holiday? If you can, consider leaving your pets at home. If that's not an option, let them spend the holiday with someone they know well to give them a sense of familiarity and comfort.

If you do plan to bring your pet on your holiday excursion, prepare a comfy carrier with some of their favorite toys. During the firework displays keep them inside in a cool and quiet room. Leave their carrier in the room in case they want to go inside.

Show Them Some Hospitality

If you're hosting guests for the holiday, make sure they know that your pet needs to stay in their “firework safe room” during the festivities. Keep the door closed and ask your guests to be quiet when approaching the room where your furry friend is taking shelter.


If You’ll be Home

If you are home with your pet during the fireworks, give them encouraging pets for moral support or play with them to distract them from the loud noises. Consider turning the TV or radio on as background noise to lessen the impact of the loud booms.

Address Anxiety

There are many products that can help anxious pets. For example, thunder shirts , weighted blankets and even a pheromone diffuser can help jittery pets relax. If your pet suffers from severe anxiety, schedule a visit with us to discuss more options to help.

The Big Boom

Last but certainly not least, keep fireworks and sparklers as far away from pets as possible. Even if your pet seems comfortable with the 4th of July celebration, partying can turn to panicking quickly. Sparklers can accidentally burn pets or cause them to unexpectedly run in fear.

4th of July Party Rules

Fireworks aren’t the only hazards that Independence Day celebrations bring. Use these 4 tips to prevent any party-related emergencies.

Stick to Pet Treats

You know what your pet is allowed to eat–but do your guests? Though they mean well, ask your guests to stick to treats and keep the table scraps on their plates. There are lots of hidden ingredients in human food that can cause an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Instead, play it safe this holiday with a few pet-friendly treat options.

Beat the Heat

If it's hot out for you then it's hot out for them! Keep pets inside a cool space with plenty of water.

For those who like to dress pets up for the holidays–snap your picture for social media and then remove the clothes. It can be hot in those outfits and you could unintentionally cause overheating. Additionally, if your pet gets scared and runs, these outfits can pose a dangerous hazard.

Clean Up

After any party, it’s important to check your yard to make sure there is nothing toxic that your pet could ingest. This includes small pieces of paper, plastic, remnants from fireworks and sparklers, and even spilled substances.

Put the Bug Spray Away

Certain chemicals in bug spray can be toxic for pets. If you are applying bug spray make sure there are no pets in the area. Allow the spray to dry before coming in contact with your pet.

The entire team at Advanced Veterinary Care of Olathe wishes you and your family a safe and happy Independence Day! Schedule an appointment today for more advice on how to support anxious pets during the celebration.

Resources:

• https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-airline-approved-pet-carriers.html
• https://www.google.com/search?q=thunder+shirts+for+small+dogs&oq=thunder+shirts&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i512l9.5966j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
• https://www.google.com/search?q=weighted+blankets+for+dogs&oq=weighted+blankets+for+dogs&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512j0i22i30l8.7194j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
• https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-nutrition/homemade-dog-food/frozen-dog-treats-for-summer