As we saw in yesterday’s article, many pets across the U.S. run away or disappear during Fourth of July festivities. Knowing the risk is there is only half the battle, so here are some safety tips to help you keep Fido or Kitty safe this Independence Day.
1) Leaving your pet at home: If you’re headed out to a picnic or a barbecue to celebrate the holiday, leaving your pet at home is the best option. Strange surroundings can be very scary to our pets-especially when there are lots of people, noises, and scents around.
2) Keeping your pet inside: If you are the one hosting the party, keeping your pets inside is optimal. While your guests may want to hang out with your dog or take selfies with your cat, keeping them in a safe, escape-proof room may be safer for them-especially during fireworks. Also, you can play gentle music or put on the tv to mask the sounds of fireworks in the distance.
3) Asking your guests for help: Be sure to ask your guests to make sure your pet doesn’t escape as they’re entering or exiting your home. Also ask them to keep track of all food, beverages, sparklers, etc. While you may know that certain foods as well as alcohol are toxic to your pet, your guests may not.
4) Do not use sunscreens or insect repellents on your pet: Many human sunscreens and insect repellents (including those citronella candles on the patio) are toxic to pets. Applying them to your pet can be dangerous and make sure they are not left out by any party-goers.
5) Play with your pet: Keep your pet calm by giving them your attention. Designated play-time and exercise earlier in the day will tire your pet out so hopefully they will sleep through any stress-inducing activities.
6) Make sure your pet (regardless of species) has current identification tags: If your pet does escape, having up-to-date information on his or her tags is vital for them to return home.
7) Microchip your pet: Microchipping takes only a few moments with your veterinarian. Microchips the only permanent forms of identification for your pet and are inserted under the skin. For more information on microchips, check out this article!
8) Afterwards, check your yard: Before allowing your pets outside, be sure to check your yard for any kind of debris. While you may not have hosted a party, firework debris and trash from any neighboring festivities can find their way into your yard-and can be hazardous to your pet’s health.
We hope that everyone has a safe and fun Independence Day! If you have any questions or concerns for your pet this holiday, call us at 216-749-7161. We have microchips and pet behavior products available to help make Fourth of July less stressful for everyone!