Fourth of July Safety

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, which means celebrating with sparklers and fireworks at your neighborhood BBQ. Although the local firework show is a great spectacle, for most of our pets, it can be a terrifying time. As pet owners, we need to start preparing for those dreaded fireworks!
Safety Tips:

  • Ensure your pet is microchipped and registered to your current address and phone number. Call your vet to ensure your pet’s microchip is entered in their system. If your pet is brought in, the staff will scan your pet and can immediately contact you. Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered and the company has all your current information. Unsure what company? Simply enter the microchip number and it will tell you which company to contact. Click here.
  • Keep pets inside! It is best to keep our indoor/outdoor cats strictly indoors while there could be loud fireworks. Take dogs out on leashes and check the perimeter of your fencing to ensure there is no escape route.
  • Provide a safe, quiet spot. Place their bed, food, water and favorite toy to a space that is comfortable and has shelter (example: under a desk, in a bathroom, in a kennel, etc). Try to muffle out sound with a blanket over the top of a kennel or curtains over the windows.
  • Check for hazards and toxins. After celebrating, there could be food, party decorations or firework scraps that your pet could ingest.
  • Medication is always an option for keeping anxious pets calm. Schedule a consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best medication for your pet and their needs. Has your pet previously been prescribed a medication to help with stressful events? Check your previous prescription to see if you have enough and call ahead. Several veterinarians are closed for the holiday weekend and fireworks will sometimes occur for several days after.

Follow these simple steps to keep our fur-babies safe during this upcoming  holiday weekend.  Interested in learning more? Click here. Call your veterinarian if you have any questions! Happy Fourth of July!