Keeping pets safe on July 4th

Did you know that more pets go missing on Independence Day than any other day of the year?

The 4th of July can be a wonderful time for celebrating. But it can, however, be a stressful and dangerous night for your pets. Even opening the front door to welcome guests to your home presents an opportunity for a frightened pet to bolt. (If your pet does not already have a microchip, this is a reminder!)

Live & Learn would like to remind everyone to keep their pets safe this holiday. Here are a few tips to keep your furry friend safe and happy as you ring in Independence Day, courtesy of the ASPCA.

• First: we HIGHLY recommend to not bringing any pets to the fireworks shows. Dogs hear twice as well as humans and this can be damaging to their hearing.

• Leaving any pets outside for long periods of time during the holiday could be dangerous. Lots of loud noises, bright flashes of light and temperatures expected to be around 95 degrees are not a good combination for most animals. Why not keep them inside and help them out by turning up televisions or radios to help drown out the sound of fireworks going off. 

• Feed your dog a good meal before the fireworks begin. The "full belly" feeling that we have after eating a large meal works the same for animals, and will help them feel calmer and more docile. Additionally, it is imperative that you closely supervise Fido or Fluffy throughout the day and night so that they aren’t tempted to indulge in the human food. Ask your guests NOT to share their food and drink with any animals. July 4th celebrations bring with them many tasty human treats that might be toxic to animals, and with the large crows of people, that can be easily and unnoticeably accessed by our pets. 

A few more Fourth Of July pet tips from the ASPCA:

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them
• Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals
• Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach
• Keep your pets on their normal diet
• Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it
• Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach
• Never use fireworks around pets!
• If your pet usually spends a good bit of time in the backyard, be aware of neighborhood pranksters throwing firecrackers over your fence to frighten your pet.
• Allow your pets the freedom to seek refuge under the bed, behind the toilet or in the back of the closet without dragging them out to stroke them and murmur “it’s okay.” For many animals, that well-meant reassurance is the first step in establishing a serious phobia.

And lastly, your dog really doesn’t want to accompany you to the local park to view the fireworks extravaganza. He would most likely prefer a nice quiet walk with you after the festivities have ended.