Fourth of July – Pet Safety Tips 

The fourth of July is right around the corner! A few things that come to mind are food, fun, and fireworks! This is a great holiday to celebrate, but we must do our part in making sure that our four-legged friends are safe. Please check out our list of pet safety tips below to ensure that you have the best holiday with your pets!

Grill – Did you know that a grill can be dangerous even before lit? The Animal Poison Control Center states that matches and lighter fluid are harmful to pets. If your dog eats matches, it may experience damaged blood cells and breathing problems. Lighter fluid is an irritant, causing harm to the skin the inside and sensitive organs on the inside.

Alcohol – Beer and cocktails are common during the fourth of July. If left out in the open, dogs can drink an alcoholic beverage. Consumption of alcohol may yield alcoholic intoxication.

Food – Who doesn’t love a good hot dog or hamburger from the grill? Keep in mind that our four-legged friends need a consistent diet. Certain foods like onions, chocolate, and avocados can be toxic to dogs.

Heat Exposure – It may be scorching during the holiday. Do your best by keeping your dog cool. Allow the dogs to lay in a place out of the sun. Be sure to keep them well hydrated too!

Bugs – Do not forget about the bugs! Keep in mind that mosquitos carry heartworms, and exposure is relatively common. Using a regular heartworm preventative will help.

Fireworks – This is the highlight of the fourth of July celebration! Even if you haven’t noticed a noise phobia in your pet, extreme sensitivity to sound can develop with age. Consider putting your put in a familiar space, add some distractions, and incorporate white noise.

Holidays like the fourth of July are supposed to be fun and relaxing. Please follow our safety tips to ensure that you and your pets have a stress-free holiday. You may need to keep your dog at home if there is a high risk of danger. It’s better to be safe than sorry!