The fourth of July is the #1 Day of the Year that dogs go missing because of all of the excitement, loud and scary noises and lack of proper identification.
Pets belong at home on this particular holiday. Keep them safe and keep them indoors – even if the party is at your home – keep them safely secured and identified – indoors.
Start a potentially stressful day with a healthy dose of exercise. A tired dog is less likely to be reactive due to environmental distractions.
Ensure your dog has eaten well and that they are well-hydrated to prevent them from becoming too warm if they are stressed. Be sure to maintain their water bowl since they may drink more than usual if it is warm or loud.
Also, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following safety suggestions:
1. Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. The fruity cocktail you are sipping can poison your pet. When ingested, alcohol can send animals into a coma or even cause fatal respiratory failure.
2. Only use insect repellent or sunscreen on your pet that is specifically designed for animal use.
3. Always keep dangerous items such as matches, lighter fluid, glow jewelry, citronella candles, insect coils, and oil products out of your pet’s reach.
4. Do not use fireworks around your pet. Loud firework displays cause stress for animals. Instead, keep your pet safe from the noise in a quiet, escape-proof area of your home.
5. Keep your pets on their normal diet. As tempting as it may be, changing your pets diet for even one meal can cause many digestive issues. Foods such as chocolate, coffee, onions, avocado, grapes, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to animals.