July 4th Pet Safety Tips

While the Fourth of July is a fun celebration for many, it can truly be a very stressful and dangerous time for our pets. Shelters see an increase in lost pets of 30-60% between July 4 - 6. That's a scary statistic and we don't want our own pets to be a part of that number. Make sure collars, ID tags, and microchip information are up to date.

Create a Plan for Pets Before the Holiday:

Do not take pets out to BBQ's or events where fireworks will be, or to Fireworks displays.

Keep pets home and strictly indoors. Ensure all doors and gates are securely closed to prevent escape.

Create a calm, cool, and secure environment for your pet(s) before fireworks begin. Secure them in a bedroom or office area, and dim the lights and play soft music or have the TV on.

If your pet has a noise aversion, or is known to be afraid of fireworks, create a safe area within the secure room they can retreat to, such as an open, covered crate or space inside a closet, or under a bed. Lay a pet bed or blankets down for them in those areas for a cozy spot.

Use Thunder-ease Spray, or Feliway Spray for cats, on the bedding in the room to help with stress.

In warm climates, use a portable AC unit or a fan. This helps keep the room cool and helps with white noise. In rooms that are warm, you can also use a cooling mat on top of the pet bed to help keep your pet cool. These can easily be found on places like Chewy or Amazon.

If you are celebrating sans Fireworks, still be careful of other hazards such as holiday foods. Keep food and drinks out of reach of pets, and consider keeping pets in a separate area during dinner, expecially if small children are present—items like corn cobs, chocolate, onions, grapes, alcohol, and xylitol can be harmful.

💙 If your pet experiences severe anxiety during fireworks, contact our hospital before the holiday to discuss other options that may help keep them comfortable, and if your pet becomes ill, injured, or goes missing, don't wait to seek help.

Wishing you, your family, and your pets a safe and happy Fourth of July! 🎉