July Fourth is an exciting time with friends, family, food, and fireworks. But, as you prepare for your celebration, ensure you take steps to safeguard your four-legged friend. Our Woodinville Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care Services team doesn’t want your Independence Day festivities interrupted by a visit to the veterinary emergency clinic. Here are our July Fourth safety tips for pets.
#1: Ensure your pet is microchipped
July fifth is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters, because pets who are frightened by fireworks and loud revelers tend to run to escape. Microchipping your pet is the best way to permanently identify your pet, as the chip cannot be lost by your pet or removed by nefarious people. The microchipping procedure is simple, and can easily be performed at your pet’s next wellness visit. Once the chip is in place, you need only to keep your contact information updated in the microchip registry, so you can be notified as soon as possible if your pet is found.
#2: Create a pet-safe zone
Some pets are stressed by unfamiliar people in their home. If you are hosting a July Fourth party, designate a room as a pet-safe zone where your anxiety-prone pet can be sequestered and escape the hubbub of the festivities. Other tips include:
- Making the space comfortable — Ensure your pet has all their necessary resources in their safe zone, including a comfortable bed, treats, water, litter box, and toys. Also, providing your pet with your recently worn clothing will help them feel comfortable, and a food puzzle toy will distract them from the party noises.
- Masking the noise — Tune the television to your pet’s favorite show or play music to help mask the commotion.
- Checking on your pet — Check on your pet throughout the party to ensure they aren’t upset.
#3: Ensure your pet doesn’t partake in the party food
Dishes served at July Fourth celebrations, which are often high in fat, can trigger a potentially life-threatening condition in pets called pancreatitis. In addition, several foods, such as alcohol, chocolate, grapes, and onions, are toxic to pets. Follow these tips to help protect your pet from dangerous foods:
- Inform your guests — Let your guests know that your pet isn’t allowed human food.
- Keep garbage in sealed containers — Put your trash in sealed garbage containers to prevent dumpster diving.
- Pick up discarded plates and cups — Frequently monitor the area for discarded plates and cups to prevent your pet from stealing a bite or sip.
- Provide pet-friendly treats — To help prevent your pet from feeling left out, provide pet-friendly treats they can safely enjoy.
If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact Woodinville Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care Services or Animal Poison Control for professional advice on caring for your pet.
#4: Keep your pet cool and comfortable
Pets cool themselves by panting, which can be insufficient on a hot, humid day, and lead to heat stroke. Your pet’s normal body temperature is 100 to 102 degrees, and a temperature higher than 105 degrees puts them at risk for heat stroke. Tips to protect your pet from this potentially life-threatening condition include:
- Ensuring your pet has access to shade — Ensure your hot pet can always get out of the sun to cool down.
- Providing water — Ensure your pet has access to clean, fresh water at all times. If you include your pet in a July Fourth celebration, take bottled water and a portable water bowl, and offer them frequent drinks.
- Limiting your pet’s exercise — An excited pet may not stop to cool down, so limit exercise during the hottest time of the day.
- Knowing the signs — Monitor your pet for heat stroke signs, which include lethargy, heavy panting, excessive drooling, and exercise intolerance.
- Being prepared — If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them to a cool, well-ventilated area and offer them water. Begin cooling them down with wet towels or by pouring lukewarm water over their body, and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
#5: Desensitize your pet to fireworks
If your pet has a noise phobia to fireworks, you should start months before the July Fourth celebration to counter-condition and desensitize them to the sounds, because this training takes time. Steps include:
- Finding a fireworks track — Find a track that demonstrates fireworks noise that makes your pet react.
- Feeding your pet — Feed your pet or play their favorite game while you play the track at a low volume that does not cause a reaction.
- Increasing the volume — At each session, gradually increase the volume, but immediately turn the volume down to a safe level if your pet seems stressed or fearful.
- Practicing often — Do this several times a day for weeks and months until your pet is comfortable hearing the track at full volume.
- Supervising your pet — Many pets respond favorably to this technique, but some pets still react during an actual fireworks display. Supervise your pet on July Fourth to ensure they aren’t stressed or frightened.
#6: Seek veterinary advice
Fireworks cause some pets extreme anxiety and fear, and desensitization techniques do not always work. If your pet is distressed by fireworks noise, contact our team. We can determine if an anti-anxiety medication or sedative would help them get through the holiday.
Following these tips should help you and your pet enjoy your July Fourth safely. Contact our Woodinville Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care Services team if you want your pet microchipped, or to discuss their fireworks phobia.
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