While the Fourth of July is celebrated around America with fireworks, food, and, of course, our freedom, our pets may be less enthused by it all. So, before you head out to buy your hot dog buns, balloons, and booze, take a few minutes to make sure your furry friends will be safe and comfortable during the festivities. While these tips may seem like common sense, it’s extremely important to ensure your pets have a pawsome time by your side. You’ll be sure to have a great day if you keep the following tips in mind:
- Bright, Booming Lights Are Not Always Pleasant
As much as most folks adore fun fireworks in the night sky, many pets are terrified of them. Keep this in mind, especially if you’re thinking of bringing a dog into a crowded area to watch fireworks. Between the noise, people, and lights, your pet’s anxiety can skyrocket — we don’t want them to be stressed while we’re having a good time!
Did you know nearly one-in-five lost pets first go missing after being scared by the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms, or other loud noises? Rather than taking your pets out, create a safe haven for them at home — turn on the TV (I hear most dogs love Animal Planet) or the radio. If you’re not going to be home with them, make sure your pets are secure. Lock the windows, doors, and any other means of escape to ensure your pets don’t have the oppawtunity to run away if startled.
- Keep Their Paws Away from Human Food
In addition to fireworks, the Fourth of July and other summer gatherings often bring about mounds of delicious food. However, the food we enjoy isn’t always safe to give our furry friends. If you’re throwing or attending a summer party, make sure the food and drinks are served only to people, not pets. Harmful food may include raisins, grapes, onions, and chocolate. You can even make a festive sign to place near the food, reminding your guests to resist the urge to feed those puppy dog eyes!
If you’re feeling extra festive, create a Bark-B-Q and arrange a table of treats that are OK for your furry friends to indulge in. Make some pupsicles, cut up some watermelon, and keep a bowl of ice cubes handy — your friends and family can give these to your pets and it will also help to keep them cool throughout the day. Bone appetit!
- Keep Your Purrtner Cool
Outdoor events are always a good time but you must be vigilant if you keep your pet outside alongside everyone. It’s important to keep your feline friends, pups and older dogs nice and cool in the summer sun. Animals are susceptible to heat stroke, just like people – a condition that’s particularly lethal for dogs. From throwing some ice cubes into their water bowls and making pupsicles to limiting exercise and keeping them in the shade, there are plenty of options to keep them safe from the sun. Check out our blog post, 5 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat to learn more about helping keep your loved ones safe.
Enjoy your howlidays with these above tips and your pets will be just fine! While it can be easy to forget that our furry friends aren’t human at times, it’s important to remember they have special needs and may need extra attention. As long as you take extra pupcautions beforehand, there should be nothing to worry about except having to decide… iced tea or lemonade?