Each year animal shelters see a record number of strays during the 4th of July. With all the commotion and fireworks going on it can be a very scary time for your pets!
So what can you do to help make sure your pet is safe?
- Leave them at home! Your pet doesn’t know it’s a holiday and if they tend to be nervous around loud noises, thunder, and other loud activities, it’s best to just leave them at home. They’ll feel safer and more comfortable, make sure your house is secured and your pet can’t get out.
- Make sure their tags and microchip information is up to date. If they do get out, this will be the best chance you have of finding them or of them finding home.
- Distract your pet. Tire out your pet before the nightly festivities. If you’re not going to be home, get them toys and a safe place to “hide”. Turn on the TV or some music to distract them from the loud noises outside. If you are home, play with them or give them treats so they’re not thinking about the noise.
- DO NOT leave them outside!! Pets who are normally okay with loud noises may not be okay with fireworks. Many pets have escaped yards or hurt themselves trying to escape.
- Consult a veternarian. If your pet is extremely anxious, talk to your vet to see if there are sedatives you can use. There are also herbal calming solutions such as rescue remedy to help calm an animal down.
Also, please remember, NEVER leave a pet in the car on a hot day or night, the temperature in a car can quickly reach deathly levels within minutes and a dog’s internal body temperature is already 102 degrees.
We hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July with your Furry Friends!
For more information about 4th of July safety check out these articles: