Pet 4th of July Safety

Happy (almost) 4th of July! As many of us prepare for the festivities that will take place this holiday; fireworks, cookouts, etc., it’s important to also make sure you keep your pets safety in mind.  More pets go missing around the 4th of July than any other time of year.  Fear of fireworks is common, but they aren’t the only danger associated with American Independence Day.  Here is our list of pet 4th of July safety tips:

• If serving alcohol this weekend (or any time, really) make sure to keep it away from your pets.  Alcohol is toxic to animals and can cause symptoms such as weakness, coma, and, in sever cases, respiratory failure and death.
• Make sure to keep items such as matches and lighter fluid out of pets’ reach.  Some types of matches, if ingested, can cause kidney disease.  Lighter fluid is a skin irritant and can also be dangerous if inhaled or consumed.
• If you want to use products such as sunscreen or insect repellent to protect your pet, make sure to use products specifically designed for use on animals.  Human products can contain ingredients that are toxic to pets.
  

  Fen says “But we can have some hotdog right!?”
• If your dog is anything like my Kitsune, he’ll be begging like crazy for a bite of your burger (or whatever else you cook up this weekend).  Try to keep your pets on their normal diet if at all possible.  While a small amount of pet safe human food should be ok, sudden changes in your pets’ diet can cause stomach upset.
• Keep items such as insect coils and candles out of your pets’ reach.  Besides the obvious danger of fire, these types of products can hurt your pet if ingested or inhaled.
• Glow jewelry is not highly toxic, but pets make want to chew on them and swallowing pieces of plastic is never a good thing!  The liquid that makes the jewelry glow can cause excessive drooling and indigestion.
• Never use fireworks around pets!  Many types of fireworks contain toxic ingredients (arsenic and other heavy metals, for example) and exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns.
• Most pets don’t appreciate firework displays as much as humans do and would be happier left safely at home.  If your pet is afraid of fireworks, provide them with a safe place to wait out the noise.  Background sounds (such as a TV) may help to drown out the scary noises outside.  You can try distracting your pet by playing a game or working on training with some especially tasty treats.  In severe situations, you may want to talk to your vet about prescription medications to help calm your pet during times of intense fear.

Do you do anything special to keep your pet safe and happy during the 4th of July?  Do you have any 4th of July safety tips you’d like to share?  Feel free to comment below!

We hope that everyone who will be celebrating this weekend has a safe, fun holiday!