Fourth of July Pet Safety

Fireworks, backyard BBQs, and other 4th of July festivities can be great fun for people, but they  can be scary or even dangerous for our pets. Whether you’re planning your own Fourth of July celebration or going elsewhere, it’s important to take steps before, during, and after the holiday to ensure your pet’s safety.

To keep your summer filled with fun in the sun, the team at Mobile Vet MD wants to offer some tips for Fourth of July pet safety.

Before the Fun

What can you do beforehand to prepare for the big day? Consider the following:

• Make sure your pet’s collar and ID tags are up-to-date.
• If your pet isn’t microchipped, talk to us about placing one before the holiday. Microchips can never be lost or stolen, and they never expire. They offer a permanent form of identification for your pet.
• If your pet is already microchipped, check that your contact information is current in the system.
• Make sure yard fencing is secure. If there are fireworks before or after the actual day, you’ll want to do everything you can to prevent your pet from escaping.
• Have a recent photo of your pet on-hand in case they get lost.
• If this holiday has made your pet anxious in the past, talk to us about behavior modifications that could help. We’re here to help!
• If you’re traveling out of town, consider leaving your pet with a trusted sitter or in a reputable boarding facility. If you’re taking them with you, call us for pet travel safety tips and to ensure that vaccinations and preventive care are up-to-date.

Tips for Fourth of July Pet Safety

• Resist the urge to bring your pet along with you to parties and fireworks displays. Instead, leave them at home in a safe, secure (read: escape-proof!), quiet space.
• Make sure your pet has access to their food and water bowls, litter box, bed, and comfort objects or toys.
• Play music, run the dishwasher, or do a load of laundry to mask strange noises. Familiar, relaxing noises may help calm your pet.
• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, and fireworks away from pets, as these could be hazardous if ingested.
• If you’re hosting guests, make sure they all remain vigilant about not letting your pet outside. Place notes on gates and doors to remind them.
• Keep pets away from the BBQ grill.
• Make sure your pet does not have access to trash, food scraps, or alcohol.
• Too much sun and heat can be dangerous for pets. If it’s hot, keep your pet indoors, and make sure they always have access to fresh water. Know the signs of heat stroke in pets and what to do in an emergency.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car. Within minutes, temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees, placing pets at risk of death.

After the Celebration

After the festivities, follow these Fourth of July pet safety tips:

• Check the yard and surrounding areas before letting your pet outside. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, check for discarded glow sticks, debris, and other waste that might have been left behind by others.
• If you hosted guests, make sure trash is contained and that pets can’t get into food scraps or other garbage that could make them sick.

Fourth of July pet safety may seem daunting, but with a little preparation, it’s relatively simple to keep your pet safe and happy. Please give us a call with any questions or concerns.