Keeping Your Pets Safe on the 4th of July

As we prepare for barbecues and fireworks this Fourth of July, The American Kennel Club has offered up some tips on how to keep your pets safe and calm during this noisy celebration.

Does your dog freak out at fireworks? Our Honey does, but Chip is usually fine after he figures out where the noise is coming from. We’ve several of the techniques below for Honey, including keeping her in her crate with a towel over it and keeping the television on so she’s got other, “regular” noise to distract her.

~ It’s safer to keep your pets at home during Forth of July celebrations instead of bringing him to your neighbor’s party. Keep your pets in the house, rather than in your yard; he’ll be a lot happier indoors, and not tempted to leap over a fence to find you.

~ Dogs can be startled by the loud noise of fireworks. Once the festivities begin, keep your pet in a safe room where he can feel comfortable. If he’s crate trained put him in his crate covered with a blanket to make him feel secure.

~ Block outside sights and sounds by lowering the blinds and turning on the television. Play soothing music in the background to counteract the cacophony during the “rockets’ red glare.”

~ If your pet seems overly anxious, spend some time with your pet, speaking soothingly to help them to relax.

~ Avoid scraps from the grill. While tempting to our pets, any sudden change to your pets’ diet can cause stomach upset. In addition, some certain foods like onions, avocado, grapes and raisins can be toxic.

~ Human products can be dangerous to animals. Avoid spraying your pet with insect repellent and only use special sunscreen that is intended for animal use. Keep your pets away from matches and lighter fluid. They can be extremely irritating to the stomach, lungs and central nervous system if ingested.

[image: flickr]